About us
HistoryWorks Ltd was established in 2004 by several of Aotearoa/New Zealand's leading specialists in historical research.
Collectively the HistoryWorks Directors offer more than 50 years' professional experience in the Treaty of Waitangi claims process. We have produced dozens of research reports for clients. We have presented evidence to the Waitangi Tribunal throughout Aoteaora/New Zealand many times and have a proven track record in delivering quality-assured research products to a wide range of Māori, heritage sector and other clients.
What We Offer
The HistoryWorks Directors offer clients:
- A proven record of many years' experience in working successfully with claimant groups and other clients throughout the country to prepare and provide quality research products.
- Expertise in research planning, scoping, report writing, quality assurance and project supervision and management.
- Access to a wide range of expertise within the legal, Māori and academic communities.
- A values-based approach to our work, including commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and to processes associated with the resolution and settlement of Treaty-based grievances.
- Professionalism, integrity, proven quality output and a strong commitment to delivering quality products to our clients.
- An inclusive approach to consulting with our clients to deliver quality services.
Introducing Our Directors
David Armstrong (Research Director)
David is a Pakeha New Zealander of Lowland Scottish descent. He grew up in Nelson and graduated with an honours degree in history from Victoria University. In 2007 he also completed an LLB law degree at the same university. David has been involved with Treaty of Waitangi issues since 1989 when he took up a position as Crown Law Office historian.
In 1994, David was employed by the Crown Forestry Rental Trust (CFRT) as an historian, and subsequently as Research Director, a position he held until mid-1999. As Research Director, David advised the Trust's clients, developed research plans and managed CFRT research staff and contract historians. David has written and presented to the Tribunal a large number of research reports for many claimant groups.
Dr Vincent O'Malley (Research Director)
Vincent is a Pakeha New Zealander of Irish and Scottish Highland descent. He has a BA (Hons) in History (1st Class) from the University of Canterbury and completed his PhD thesis at Victoria University of Wellington in 2004. Vincent has published widely in the area of Crown and Māori historical relationships, including his 1998 book, Agents of Autonomy: Māori Committees in the Nineteenth Century (Huia Publishers), and (with David Armstrong) The Beating Heart: A Political and Socio-Economic History of Te Arawa (Huia Publishers, 2008), along with contributions to the New Zealand Journal of History, the Journal of the Polynesian Society, Labour History Review, Ethnohistory, the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography and a number of other monographs and book chapters.
He has worked as a professional historian specialising in Treaty of Waitangi claims research since 1993 and in that time has prepared and presented many research reports on behalf of claimant groups around the country. As Research Manager at Crown Forestry Rental Trust between 2000 and 2004 Vincent played a key role in planning and delivering quality-assured research products to Trust clients.
Bruce Stirling (Research Director)
Bruce is a Pakeha New Zealander of Scottish descent who grew up in Rarotonga and Wellington. He has a degree in history from Victoria University. Bruce has been involved with Treaty issues since 1989, initially as a Crown Law Office historian. In 1993 Bruce moved to the Crown Forestry Rental Trust, becoming the Trust's Research Manager in mid-1999. Bruce has worked with many Māori claimant groups throughout the country assisting them with a wide range of research issues whilst also directing the Trust's research effort. During this time he has also written and presented to the Waitangi Tribunal numerous research reports.
Further Information
To find out more about our Directors, or to learn about other personnel who may be available through HistoryWorks Ltd, please contact us.
