Clark, Nigel
From CollabLandWiki
Cultural Studies for Shaky Islands.
Bell, C & Matthewman, S 2004. ‘Cultural Studies for Shaky Islands’, in N Clark(ed.), Cultural studies in Aotearoa New Zealand: Identity, space and place, Oxford Univ Pr, Cary, North Carolina, U.S.A.
This chapter talks about the term ‘nature’ being not just environmental values, but nature being as an important role in providing a sense of identity and belonging. It talks about nature being very important for people in relation to how they sense particular places or the environments they are inhabiting. As culture changes through time and people, nature also changes through natural movements such as earthquakes or volcanoes. This movement has an effect on people’s lives without them realizing it.
“Nature is ‘unstable’ because the only way we have to interpret and depict it is through culture. By reminding us that all visions of nature are the product of culture- cultures that have themselves inevitably drifted, and transformed over time-“. (Pg 15)
Which means that New Zealand nature helps New Zealanders define who we are and who we were in the past. For example, the nature of New Zealand now is different from the nature when European settlers first arrived. The lowland ecosystem that was once a great support for the rich bird habitat, is now all scattered, only few parts have survived due to European colonial farmers. The nature has changed through the culture of New Zealand.
As nature changes through time and culture, New Zealand is advertised with a slogan “New Zealand 100% Pure”, and this ads work because it surely meets the conceptions people (from other country) already have about New Zealand. The slogan does catalyst their fantasy about ‘antipodean’ islands with unique nature/ scenery. The writing is emphasizing that not only the outside world (overseas) is moved by this slogan, but that New Zealanders get effected by their own image of being 100% pure. This effects out self- image and identity.
“Our identity as New Zealanders, in other words, seems to remain closely tied to images of the natural landscape. You can see this in the enthusiasm we have for getting away from the cities- where the vast majority of us live and work- and getting into the countryside, and the wilderness. In ‘getting away from it all’ we also remind ourselves what the country is really like- and who we really are.” (Pg 8)
When we say our ‘nature’, it’s the way we look at it, frame it and represent it. It cannot be separated from us and further long, our nation (where nation is a clearly marked out area of land with political and cultural entity). Nation can be defined as a slice of nature that is combined with a society or culture. Therefore the image of New Zealand nature cannot be separated from the way New Zealanders imagine themselves to be a nation.
As to relate this writing to the Waiheke Island project, it can be refer to the nature of the island and its relationship with the culture and people within the island. How island people see Waiheke’s natural environment and why they oppose certain developments such as WIL proposal of resort and shopping center. This writing questions how Waiheke Island residents see themselves and their image of being separate from New Zealand (Auckland mainly). It also refers back to the ‘pure’ image of New Zealand’s identity and how that may effect the island people or New Zealand as a whole. It seems thay by not touching nature we can protect the ‘natural’ environment. And to keep the ‘natural/pure’ environment is to protect New Zealander’s ‘natural/ original’ identity. And to protect Waiheke Island from major development is the way to protect the Waiheke Island identity/image. Changing its nature could also affect their sense of as Waiheke Island could have been an escape for some people due to the major changes of Auckland or other parts of New Zealand.
