About the Author

Most of the editors research and teach at Te Tumu, the School of Maori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies at the University of Otago, one of the most significant clusters of research-active Maori Studies scholars in the country. They live in Otepoti (Dunedin), in Te Waipounamu, also known as the South Island, which lies under the mana of the people of this land, Kai Tahu. Maori who live in the southern parts of Te Waipounamu historically called the bellbird `te koparapara', and the editors have chosen this local version of the bird's name for the book's title to acknowledge the people of this place.