The NZAA is run by a Council elected annually from its members. The current Council members for 2022 – 2023 are:
President: Chris Jennings
Chris is an Archaeologist based in Dunedin. Originally from Upper Hutt, he completed his undergraduate degree and MA at the University of Otago and his PhD at the University of Queensland. His research interests focus on Polynesian quarrying and early Māori stone tool technology, social organisation, exchange networks, and the early Polynesian exploration and settlement of New Zealand.
Over the last 18 years, Chris has worked as an archaeologist in New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Vice President: Alex Jorgensen
Alex Jorgensen is an Auckland based archaeologist who completed his MA and PhD at the University of Auckland. A former lawyer, Alex has spent the last 13 years involved in archaeological research and field work around the northern North Island, with the occasional bit of contract archaeology thrown in for good measure. Alex’s research interests include pre-European Māori archaeology, lithics and landscape archaeology, and he has been participating in the University of Auckland’s Great Mercury Island/Ahuahu Archaeological Research Project since its inception in 2012
Immediate Past President: Lynda Walter
Ko Taranaki te maunga
Ko Tokomaru te waka
Ko Whaiwhakaiho te awa
Ko Te Ati Awa raua ko Ngati Pakeha nga iwi
Ko Ngati Te Whiti te hapu
Ko Lynda Walter taku ingoa
Kia ora koutou katoa
Lynda is a consultant archaeologist with 35 years’ experience. She works in the Bay of Plenty and East Coast regions, but has specialist expertise in the preparation of Conservation Plans for sites throughout New Zealand.
Lynda is personally committed to empowerment and capacity building within iwi Maori to foster active engagement and leadership in the management of archaeological sites.
Council Members:
Secretary: Danielle Trilford
Danielle is an Auckland based archaeologist, who grew up on the Kāpiti Coast and studied both her undergraduate and post-graduate at the University of Otago. She has worked across the country in research, teaching, and consulting roles. She currently works around Te Ika a Māui for CFG Heritage as a senior archaeologist undertaking consulting and research work. Her interests include the archaeology of pre-European Māori human settlement, the role and involvement of mana whenua in common archaeological process, archaeological site recording, and landscape archaeology.
Treasurer: Emma Clifford
Emma Clifford is currently based in Wellington working as an Archaeologist at Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Emma is originally from Dunedin where she completed her undergraduate and post-graduate degree at the University of Otago. She has worked as an archaeological consultant in Canterbury, the West Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and the United Kingdom. Her interests lie in the archaeology of pre-European Māori, archaeological landscapes, archaeological assessment and planning as well as advocacy.
Rebecca Ramsay
Rebecca is an Auckland based archaeologist, who trained at the University of Auckland. She currently works at Auckland Council, providing archaeological input into a range of development and research projects. Her interests include climate change and archaeology, landscape archaeology and heritage management.
Emma Ash
Emma is an Auckland-based archaeologist who completed her study at the University of Auckland. She currently works at Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira as Associate Curator, assisting with the kaitiaki of taonga and development of legacy archaeological assemblages. In addition to museum curation her research interests include environmental reconstruction, human-environment interaction and the application of archaeology to issues such as climate change and ecological restoration.
Emily Howitt
Emily is a Te Whanganui-a-Tara based consultant archaeologist who works across the lower North Island. She is originally from Ōtepoti, where she completed her BA and MA at the University of Otago. Emily has contracted on a variety of historical and Māori sites across the country. Her interests include archaeological planning and historical research, and the archaeology of pre-European Māori and Pākehā settlement.
Jasmine Weston
Jasmine is a Senior Archaeologist based in Dunedin, working with New Zealand Heritage Properties. She is originally from Southland and has experience working experience across Te Wai Pounamu and New South Wales. Jasmine has recently completed her Master’s at the University of Otago, researching the impact of earthquakes on archaeology in the event of an Alpine Fault Earthquake. She is passionate about investigating the impacts of emergency events on archaeological sites to help highlight those that are most at risk to be able to protect them for the future.
Strategic Plan
In 2013 NZAA Council developed and adopted a Strategic Plan – the first for the organisation. The Plan is reviewed and updated regularly and guides the current and future direction of the Association.
The Goals of the NZAA Strategic Plan are:
- Goal 1: Maintenance and growth
- Goal 2: Promote the practice of archaeology
- Goal 3: Maintain and communicate archaeological principles and values
- Goal 4: Sustain and strengthen archaeological site recording in NZ
- Goal 5: Grow financial strength and policy capability
NZAA logo
The NZAA logo was adopted at the 2015 AGM in Paihia.
The central element is a koru, a Maori symbol that now features prominently in expressions of New Zealand identity, having become part of the nation’s visual vocabulary. The coloured elements are in earth tones and can clearly be read as stratigraphic layers with the koru as an artefact [of knowledge] to be uncovered. The koru is often used to symbolise creation or growth; in archaeology, bringing the past into the present.
The logo is a registered trademark of NZAA and can only be used with the permission of Council.
Other Positions of the Association
The following positions are appointed by the Council to help manage the various interests of the Association.
- Membership Secretary
Cherrill Cooke - Archaeology in New Zealand Editor
Peter Petchey - Journal of Pacific Archaeology Editor
Ethan Cochrane - Monographs Editor
Matthew Campbell - Publications Distribution Manager
Cherrill Cooke
- Nominee to Royal Society for Skinner Fund allocation
Andy Brown
- ArchSite Board of Governance Chair
Alex Jorgensen - Archsite (Site Recording Scheme) Central Filekeeper
Mary O’Keeffe - Webmaster
Emma Ash - Social Media Co-ordinator
Patricia Pillay - Archaeology Week Co-ordinator
Toni-Maree Rowe
If you are interested in being elected for Council or considered for any of the above positions, then don’t hesitate to contact us. The NZAA runs on its volunteer membership and without their support we cannot continue to advocate for our membership and New Zealand archaeology.
