Cushla Parekowhai was born in Whanganui; her father’s family come from Tai Rawhiti, Poverty Bay on the East Coast and her mother is Pakeha. She graduated with an M.A. (Hons) from Auckland University in 1986 and a Diploma in Librarianship from Victoria University in 1988. In 1994 Cushla was awarded a Diploma of Teaching from Auckland College of Education. From 1993-94 she was involved in teaching experience placements at Epsom Normal Primary School, Maungawhau Primary School, Glenfield Intermediate and Bayview Primary School. In 1994 she was a part-time Tikanga Māori Tutor at Baradene College and in 1994-95 was a guest lecturer in Auckland University’s Art History Department. From 1994 she has been Weekend Supervisor at Northcote Library. Since 1996 Cushla has been Children’s Librarian at Northcote Library. From 1995 she has been a Lecturer at the School of Communications at the Auckland Institute of Technology and in 1996-97 was a part-time Contextual Studies Lecturer at the School of Arts/Design at Manukau Institute of Technology. In 1997 she was Guest Lecturer at the School of Art and Design at the Auckland Institute of Technology and in 1998 was Guest Lecturer at the School of Architecture and Design, at Unitec, Auckland. Cushla has worked as an oral history field worker and journalist for The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa.
Biographical sources
- Phone conversation and correspondence with Parekowhai, 21, 23 June and 25 July 1998.
Non-fiction
- "Te Poho o Paikea: Barry Barclay and Ngāti." Art New Zealand 45 (1988): 75-77.
- A review of Ngāti in which Parekowhai discusses the unique contribution of Barry Barclay as a Māori film-maker in an industry which Parekowhai states ‘recognises and endorses a Eurocentric world view’.
- "Where the Green Ants Really Dream." Photofile 6.3 (Spring 1988): 6-10.
- Parekowhai looks briefly at Werner Herzog’s film Where the Green Ants Dream and examines in greater depth Vincent Ward’s In Spring, One Plants Alone. Parekowhai’s critique of both films is that the film-makers have imposed their own personal mythologies upon their subject matter and she asserts that Ward’s ‘choice of images, whether by accident of design, documents only that which is significant according to his own personal mythology’ and adds that ‘[i]t does not follow that his selection will be relevant or meaningful at all to Māori.’ By contrast Parekowhai notes that the work of Barry Barclay in his six Tangata Whenua programmes expresses a sensitivity to the Māori culture because he comes from inside it.
- "A Tona Wa: Live at the Depot." Illusions 8 (1988): 27-28.
- In the form of a letter to her mother, Parekowhai writes a review of two performance pieces presented at The Depot Theatre, Wellington, N.Z. The first was a cabaret dance drama by Māori artist Neil Gudsell now known as Mika, and the second a Fragment of Childhood by Rore Habib and performed by Jim Moriarty.
- "Kōrero ki Taku Tuakana: Merata Mita and Me." Illusions 9 (1988): 21-26.
- A lengthy interview with Merata Mita concerning Pakeha appropriation of Māori imagery.
- "Taiao: ki te Ao Marama: No Ordinary Sun." Illusions 12 (Nov 1989): 6-7.
- Parekowhai writes a review in the form of a conversational letter to her mother of a performance by the Māori Dance Group, Taiao, at the Depot Theatre.
- "Te Rakau Hua o te Rao Tapu." Mere Boynton and Cushla Parekowhai. Illusions 14 (1990): 16-19.
- Reviews of He Oriori mo te Tamariki, a children’s play, Broken Arse, Te Hara and Nga Puke at the Depot Theatre at the International Festival of the Arts.
- "He Wahine Kaimahi-whakangahau." Race Gender Class (Dec 1990).
- An interview with Māori playwright Roma Potiki.
- "Meet My Koro." New Zealand Libraries 46.4 (Mar. 1990): 12-17.
- The text of Parekowhai’s address to the New Zealand Library Association Conference held in Christchurch in 1989.
- "Bus Stop, Wet Day, She’s There, I say." Cushla Parekowhai talks to Rangitunoa Black. Archifacts: Bulletin of the Archives and Records Association of New Zealand (Apr. 1990): 29-35.
- Rangitunoa Black, former Kaiwhakahaere of Māori Services at the Auckland, N.Z. Public Library, discusses with Parekowhai her vision for making libraries Māori-friendly places. She stresses the need for Māori space in libraries where groups of Māori can handle the material that belongs to them. She suggests talking manuscripts and facsimiled copies of 19th century manuscripts for greater accessibility of these documents.
- "Te Rakau Hua o te Wao Tapu." Illusions 14 (July 1990): 16-18.
- Mere Boynton and Cushla Parekowhai review Te Rakau Hua o te Wao Tapu, the programme of contemporary Māori performing arts held during the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts in March 1990. Boynton reviews He Oriori Mo Te Tamariki, a children’s theatre production created by Whetu Fala, Tina Cook and Makerita Matepelu, and Bruce Stewart’s play Broken Arse. Parekowhai reviews John Broughton’s plays Te Hara and Nga Puke in the form of a letter to her mother.
- "The Book of Life/Whatungarongaro." Stage and Radio Record 3 (1991). No further details.
- "Erana Ahuahu Brown." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991: 98-101.
- Co-authored with Erana Brown.
- "Airini Grennell." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 256-257.
- Co-authored with Irihapeti Ramsden.
- "Dovey Katene." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 340-342.
- Co-authored with Dovey Taiaroa.
- "Te Whiu Maitai." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 403-407.
- Co-authored with John Walsh and Kupere Sanders.
- "Rotira Te Rewa Otene." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 481-484.
- Co-authored with Ruby Te Hei and Sarah McGhee.
- "Guide Bella: Bella Te Hoari Papakura." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 488-491.
- Co-authored with Bubbles Mihinui.
- "Mere Kingi Paraone." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, . 1991. 493-496.
- Co-authored with Heni Sunderland.
- "Lillian Petersen." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 510-513.
- Co-authored with George Smith and Cameron Smith.
- "Ngoi Pewhairangi." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 515-519.
- Co-authored with Henare Te Ua.
- "Ruhia Porutu." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 533-536.
- Co-authored with Mairatea Tahiwi (born Pitt-Porutu).
- "Animerata Poulgrain." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 536-539.
- Co-authored with Paare Stevens.
- "Guide Rangi Rangitiaria Dennan." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 543-547.
- Co-authored with Emily Schuster.
- "Tumanako Te Puna Reweti." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 555-560.
- Co-authored with Danny Tumahai and Josie Tumahai.
- "Puhi Royal." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 578-580.
- Co-authored with Taini Jamieson.
- "Mirika Powhirihau Wehipeihana." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 715-719.
- Co-authored with Hare Hemi Wehipeihana and Butty Goldsmith.
- "Maata Wickliffe." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 733-735.
- Co-authored with Louie Waaka and Charlie Hurihanganui.
- "Kōrero Taku Whaea: Talk My Aunt: Learning to Listen to Māori Women." Oral History in New Zealand 4 (1992): 1-4.
- Drawing upon her experiences as an oral history field worker, Parekowhai presents a discussion of the interviewing process, speaks of the paralysing effects of cultural sensitivity, and suggests that an outside perspective does not need to be a barrier in oral research if the interviewer is ‘aware of and acts on the shifts in perspective and relationship implied in Māori narrative...’ The text of a paper presented by Parekowhai at the National Oral History Archives of New Zealand Annual Conference in Wellington in 1991.
- "Puea o Te Ao: Rise to the Surface of the World." Alter/Image Feminism And Representation In New Zealand Art 1973-1993. Ed. Christina Barton and Deborah Lawler-Dormer. Wellington, N.Z.: City Gallery, 1993.
- Exhibition catalogue essay.
- "Te Timatanga Tatau Tatau." Broadsheet 200 (Summer 1993): 60-61.
- Review of the Māori Women’s Welfare League’s publication about its early members.
- "Dovey Katene 1912-1978." Te Māori News 2.5 1 Apr 1993. 6.
- Co-authored with Dovey Taiaroa.
- "’What Do You Mean ‘We’, Whiteman?’: The Lone Ranger and Tonto in a Puha Picture Show." Midwest. 1993. No details.
- Catalogue essay.
- "Americanisation: American Popular Culture’s Influence On Māori And Pacific Island Identity." Midwest 3 (1993): 22-29.
- Co-authored with Selina Crosbie and Kerry Buchanan.
- "One Lump Or Two: Talk, Tapestry And Afternoon Tea." Adam Was No Fool: An Installation by Monique Redmond. Text and titles selected by Cushla Parekowhai. Auckland, N.Z.: Fisher Gallery Pakuranga, 1994.
- In this conversation between Parekowhai and Monique Redmond, Redmond gives an explanation of her solo sculpture show entitled Adam was no fool.
- In the Night Kitchen. Wellington, N.Z.: New Work Studio, 1995.
- An exhibition statement in which Parekowhai writes her impressions of the art works.
- "The Summer of ‘69." CKP. Korurangi: New Māori Art. George Hubbard. Auckland, N.Z.: Auckland City Art Gallery, 1996.
- Parekowhai provides a humorous story based on facts surrounding the title of her brother Michael Parekowhai’s painting ‘Kiss the Baby Goodbye’.
- [Entries on Rangitiaria Dennan, Sam Emery, Tiaki Omana] Dictionary of New Zealand Biography Vol. 4. Wellington; Auckland, N.Z.: Te Tari Tai Whenua, Dept. of Internal Affairs and Auckland UP, 1998.
Other
- Telling Stories, Telling Lies: Issues of Placement in Contemporary Māori Art.
- Paper given at the Māori Visual Arts Conference, at Massey University, Palmerston North in 1996.
Reviews
- "A Tona Wa: Live At The Depot." Illusions 8 (1988): 27-28.
- "The Quest For A National Identity." Rev. of An Illustrated History Of The Treaty Of Waitangi, by Claudia Orange, and Nga Toho O Te Tiriti: Making A Mark: The Signatories Of The Treaty Of Waitangi, by Miria Simpson. Dominion 19 Jan. 1991: 9.
Visual Arts
- "Poisoning The Monkey: Rembrandt, Resurrection, And The Recent Work Of Jane Zusters - A Lunchtime Conversation With Allie Eagle, Cushla Parekowhai And The Artist." Christchurch, N.Z.: Campbell Grant Galleries, Christchurch, N.Z., 1998.
- Unpublished exhibition essay.
Other
- Erai, Michelle, Fuli, Everdina, Irwin, Kathie and Wilcox, Lenaire. Māori Women: An Annotated Bibliography. [Wellington, N.Z.]: Michelle Erai, Everdina Fuli, Kathie Irwin and Lenaire Wilcox, 1991. 24.