Donna Matahaere-Atariki was born in Tuatapere, Southland, and was educated at St Theresa’s School, Southland College and Kingswell High School in Invercargill. She continued her studies at the University of Otago and graduated with a B.A. in Women’s Studies and Education in 1995. She pursued post-graduate studies at Massey University and in 1997 graduated with a M.Phil in Women’s Studies. Donna is currently a Lecturer in Community and Family Studies at the University of Otago. She is Executive Officer in the office of Te Runanga O Ngāi Tahu leading Knowledge Management. She is still engaged in policy and development issues and is currently chairperson of a health and social service organization in Dunedin. She writes non-fiction material.
Biographical sources
- Correspondence with Matahaere-Arariki on 12 Feb. and 3 May, 1998, 2 July 2004.
Non-fiction
- "Māori Women and the Vote." New Zealand Women’s Studies Journal 10:2. No further details.
- "Māori, the ‘Eternally Compromised Noun’: Complicity, Contradictions, and Postcolonial Identities in the Age of Biculturalism." Women’s Studies Journal 11.1 & 11.2 (Aug. 1995):15-24.
- Matahaere examines issues of Māori identity and discusses the ‘contradictions inherent in postcolonial identities’ particularly within a state policy advocating biculturalism.
- "At the Gates of the Knowledge Factory: Voice Authenticity and the Limits of Representation." Feminist Thought in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Ed. L. Alice and R. Du Plessis. Auckland, N.Z.: Oxford UP, 1998. No further details.
- "A Context For Writing Native Masculinities." Masculinities in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Ed. H. Campbell, Robin Law and John Dolan. Palmerston North, N.Z.: Dunmore, 1999. No further details.
- "Indigenous Relationships and Social Service Courses in the Academy." Australian Journal of Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education. 3.1 (1999): 72-86.
- "The Treaty and Social Services Courses." New Zealand Social Work Review 11.1 (1999): 16-19.
- "Anti-Oppressive Practices in a Colonial Context." New Zealand Social Work: Contexts and Practice. Ed. Marie Connelly. Auckland, N.Z.; Melborne; Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001. No further details.