Murray Jury Parsons

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Moe Raua

1941 -

Murray Parsons was born in Masterton and was educated at Martinborough District Primary School and Scots College, Wellington. From 1959-66 he attended Victoria University of Wellington, graduating with a B.Sc. in Botany and Zoology in 1963, and an M.Sc. (2A Honours) in 1966. From 1967-71 he completed doctoral studies at the University of Adelaide, South Australia, and graduated Ph.D. in Botany (phycology) in 1971. From 1988-1990 he attended the University of Canterbury. He writes scientific papers, historical non-fiction (biographies and family histories), and whakapapa. He is currently scientist, Herbarium keeper, ethnobotanist, and marine phycologist (seaweeds) with Manaaki Whenua—Landcare Research. Parsons writes that his "early scientific papers deal with the taxonomy (scientific naming and relationships), the anatomical structure and the biogeography (distribution) of seaweeds, while some papers detail the chemical compounds found in seaweeds. More recently his work focuses on ethnobotany, particularly the way in which Māori use plants for food, agriculture, and medicine. Currently he is compiling a list of scientific names of the wild plants of New Zealand."

Biographical sources

  • Correspondence with Murray Parsons 17 April 1993 and 18 August 1998.

    Non-fiction

  • John and Te Aitu Jury: The Jurys of the Wairarapa. Christchurch, N.Z.: M. J. Parsons, 1986.
  • Parsons provides a detailed biographical account of John Milsome Jury who sailed to New Zealand from Gravesend, London, on the whaling ship "Mary Ann" in 1835-36, and Te Aitu-o-te-Rangi, a Wairarapa chieftainess.
  • "The Jurys of The Wairarapa (John & Te Aitu Jury)." Te Karanga: Canterbury Māori Studies Association 2.1 (May 1986): 24-25.
  • Parsons provides biographical notes on John Milsome Jury who was born in England in 1816 and sailed to New Zealand arriving in 1836. Jury subsequently married Wairarapa chieftainess Te Aitu-o-te-Rangi, and their four children included H.T. Whatahoro who became a corresponding member of the Polynesian Society. Parsons also briefly reports on the 150th anniversary celebrations of John Milsome Jury’s arrival in New Zealand.
  • "Jury, Hoani Te Whatahoro 1841-1923." The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ed. W. H. Oliver. Vol. 1. 1769-1869. Wellington, N.Z.: Allen & Unwin; Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1990: 214-215. Rpt. in Nga Tangata Taumata Rau 1769-1869. Etita Matua. W. H. Oliver. Wellington, N.Z.: Allen & Unwin; Te Tari Taiwhenua, 1990. 21-23. In Māori. Rpt. in The People of Many Peaks. General ed. Claudia Orange. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams; Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1991. 18-21.
  • A biography of Hoani Te Whatahoro Jury, of Ngāti Kahungunu, son of John Milsome Jury and Te Aitu-o-te-rangi. Jury recorded the lectures of three tohunga at Wairarapa Māori gatherings: Te Matorohanga, Paratene Te Okawhare and Nepia Pohuhu. In 1900 he was baptised in the Church of the Latter Day Saints and assisted in the Māori translation of the Book of Mormon. He became a corresponding member of the Polynesian Society, was involved with Te Kotahitanga, and was a member of the Tane-nui-a-rangi committee.
  • "Jury, Te Aitu-o-te-rangi ?-1854." The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ed. W. H. Oliver. Vol. 1. 1769-1869. Wellington, N.Z.: Allen & Unwin; Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1990: 215-216. Rpt. in Nga Tangata Taumata Rau 1769-1869. Etita Matua. W. H. Oliver. Wellington, N.Z.: Allen & Unwin; Te Tari Taiwhenua, 1990. 23-25. In Māori. Rpt. in The People of Many Peaks. General ed. Claudia Orange. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams; Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1991. 21-22.
  • Parsons provides a biography of Ngāti Kahungunu kuia Te Aitu-o-te-rangi (c.1820-1854) who was raised in the Wairarapa, and was captured during tribal warfare and taken to the Horowhenua where she met and later married English whaler and trader John Milsome Jury. The couple eventually settled in Waka-a-paua in the Wairarapa and one of their four children was Hoani Te Whatahoro, the famous recorder of tribal tradition and waiata.
  • "Obituary (Ruth Mason)." New Zealand Limnological Society Newsletter 26 (Dec. 1990): 42.
  • "What Are Some Of The Medicines Made From Bark And Leaves Of Trees?" ASK A SCIENTIST column. The Press 30 Aug. 1994. No further details.
  • "Letter Concerning The Obituary Of Anthony Wagner, Formerly Richmond Herald." The New Zealand Genealogist 27.237 (Jan.-Feb. 1996): 3-4.
  • "Estuary Seaweed..." ASK A SCIENTIST column. The Press 15 July 1997. No further details.
  • In response to the question ‘How does seaweed grow?’, asked by Paul Tait of South New Brighton School
  • Current Names List for Wild Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons (except Grasses) of New Zealand as used in Herbarium CHR. Version 1, to 31 Dec. 1995. Lincoln, Canterbury, N. Z.: Manaaki Whenua Press, 1998.
  • Co-compiled with P. Douglass and B. H. Macmillan.

    • Other

  • "The CHIRP Users Manual." Botany Division Report. No details.
  • Co-authored with B. Muschamp; J. Glasson and C. Meurk.
  • Durvillaea Antarctica And Traditional Poha Titi Or Kelp Bags.
  • A Poster And Set Of 12 Transparencies And A Paper Entitled "Mutton-Birding" By George M. Turner From "The Otago Witness" 9 August 1927. 3rd International Phycological Congress, 14-20 August 1988. Melbourne, Austral., 1988.
  • "Seaweed Industries For New Zealand?" NZ DSIR Newsletter Apr. (1972): 3-5.
  • "Commercial Uses Of Seaweeds." 12th NZ Science Congress. Feb. 1972.
  • "New Zealand Seaweeds: A Report Written For A Member Of The New Zealand Parliament." 1973.
  • "Comments On A Report On Marine Kelp Farming." Unpublished report. Botany Division Files BD/53/1 And BD/53/5. 20 June 1974.
  • "Past, Present And Future Of Seaweeds In New Zealand." Convened A Symposium At The 49th ANZAAZ Conference, University Of Auckland, N.Z. Jan. 24, 1979.
  • "Biology And Harvesting Of Marine Algae - A Report." Unpublished report. Apr. 1981. No details.
  • "Report On Overseas Visit, Sydney, Australia, 17-28 August 1981." Botany Division, DSIR. No details.
  • "Report On Attending Conferences In Hobart, Tasmania, 15-22 February, 1986." Botany Division, DSIR. No details.
  • "Report On A Visit To Australia, 26 September-4 October 1986." Botany Division, DSIR. No details.

  • Reviews

  • Rev. of The Marine Benthic Flora Of Southern Australia. Part I, by H. B. S. Womersley. New Zealand Marine Science Newsletter 27 (Dec. 1984). No further details.
  • Rev. of The Marine Benthic Flora Of Southern Australia. Part I, by H.B.S. Womersley. New Zealand Journal of Botany 23 (1985): 345-346.
  • Rev. of Ta Moko: The Art of Māori Tattoo, by Mick Prendergast. Te Karanga: Canterbury Māori Studies Association 2.3 (Nov. 1986): 38-39.
  • Rev. of Seaweeds Of New Zealand, An Illustrated Guide, by Nancy M. Adams. New Zealand Journal Of Marine And Freshwater Research 31 (1997): 144-145.

  • Scientific

  • "Composition of Gigartina carrageenan in relation to sporophyte and gametophyte stages of the life cycle." Phytochemistry 12 (1973): 2441-2444.
  • Co-authored with S. E. Pickmere and R. W. Bailey.
  • "Note - Marine Phycology In New Zealand." Phycologia 13.2 (1974): 179.
  • "Phycologists Gather At Edward Percival Marine Laboratory, Kaikoura, 12-15 November 1973." New Zealand Marine Sciences Newsletter 17 (1974): 11.
  • "Morphology And Taxonomy Of The Dasyaceae And The Lophothalieae (Rhodomelaceae) Of The Rhodophyta." Australian Journal of Botany 13 (1975): 549-713.
  • "Variations In Carrageenan Levels And Composition In Three New Zealand Species Of Gigartina." New Zealand Journal of Science 18 (1975): 585-590.
  • Co-authored with S. E. Pickmere and R. W. Bailey.
  • "Carrageenan Composition In New Zealand Species Of Gigartina (Rhodophyta): Geographic Variation And Interspecific Differences." New Zealand Journal of Botany 15 (1977): 589-595.
  • Co-authored with S. E. Pickmere and R. W. Bailey.
  • "Marginariella, A Genus Of Brown Seaweeds Found Only In New Zealand." Canterbury Botanical Society Journal 12 (Sept 1978): 1-2 and cover.
  • "IXth International Seaweed Symposium Post-Symposium Tour." Phycologia 17.4 (1978): 439.
  • "The Agar Seaweeds Of New Zealand." Canterbury Botanical Society Journal 13 (1979): 1-3 .
  • "The Morphology And Taxonomy Of Brongniartella Bory Sensu Kylin (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta)." Phycologia 19.4 (1980): 273-295.
  • "Preliminary List Of Algae. Gore Bay Scenic Reserve And Port Robinson." Canterbury Botanical Society Journal 14 (Sept 1980): 69.
  • "The New Zealand Seaweed Flora And Its Relationships." Abstracts XIII International Botanical Congress, Sydney, Australia 21-28 August 1981. 175. No Details.
  • "Fifth Phycological Foregathering And Foray." New Zealand Marine Sciences Newsletter and also Australasian Society for Phycology and Aquatic Botany Newsletter 1981. No details.
  • Co-authored with G. N. MacRaild.
  • "Colpomenia (Endlicher) Derbes et Solier (Phaeophyta) in New Zealand." New Zealand Journal of Botany 20.3 (1982): 289-301.
  • "Obituary: Valentine Jackson Chapman 1910-1980." Phycology 21.3 (1982): 411-419.
  • "Sixth Phycological Field Meeting." New Zealand Marine Sciences Newsletter 26 (Dec. 1983): 30-31.
  • "Algae." The New Zealand Biota - What Do We Know After 200 Years? Contributions to a Symposium Organised by the Systematic Association of New Zealand, 25-26 August 1980 at Victoria University, Wellington. Ed. P. J. Brownsey And A. N. Baker. National Museum Of New Zealand Miscellaneous Ser. 7. Wellington, N.Z.: National Museum of New Zealand, 1983. 15-16.
  • "Marine Algae And A Marine Fungus From Open Bay Islands, Westland, New Zealand." New Zealand Journal Of Botany 22.3 (1984): 425-432.
  • Co-authored with G. D. Fenwick.
  • "New Terminology For Sympodial Growth In The Ceramiales (Rhodophyta)." R. E. Norris, E. M. Wollaston, M. J. Parsons. Phycologia 23.2 (1984): 233-237.
  • "Collection And Preservation Of Seaweeds." Notes For Plant Collectors. P. E. Horn And G. D. Hill. 4th rev. ed. Canterbury, N.Z.: Plant Science Dept., Lincoln College, 1984. No further details.
  • "Reports. 1983 ASPAB Conference." Phycologia 23.1 (1984): 115.
  • "Marine Algae Of The Subantarctic Islands Of New Zealand." National Museum of New Zealand Miscellaneous Ser. No. 11 (1985): 1-70. No further details.
  • Co-authored with C. H. Hay and N. M. Adams.
  • "Biosystematics Of The Cryptogamic Flora Of New Zealand: Algae." New Zealand Journal Of Botany 23.4 (1985): 663-675.
  • "Polyhalogenated Monoterpenes Of The New Zealand Marine Red Algae Plocamium Cartilagineum." Australian Journal Of Chemistry 38 (1985): 519-525.
  • Co-authored with J. W. Blunt, N. J. Bowman, M. H. G. Munro, G. J. Wright, and Y. Kon.
  • "New Zealand Seaweed Flora And Its Relationships." New Zealand Journal Of Marine And Freshwater Research 19.2 (1985): 131-138.
  • "Proposal For A ‘Flora Of New Zealand: Benthic Marine Macroalgae’." New Zealand Marine Sciences Newsletter 29 (Dec 1986): 31.
  • "Voucher Specimens Of New Records Of Freshwater Algae." New Zealand Limnological Society Newsletter 23 (Dec 1987): 34-35.
  • "The Canoe And The Orchid." New Zealand Botanical Society Newsletter 13 (Sept. 1988): 6-7.
  • "News From Herbaria - CHR." Herbarium News 9.1-2 (Jan.-Feb. 1989): 1.
  • "Herbarium (CHR), Botany Institute, DSIR Land Resources." New Zealand Botanical Society Newsletter 23 (Mar. 1991): 12-13.
  • "Ethnobotany - A Māori Perspective." People, Plants And Conservation: Botanic Gardens Into The 21st Century Proceedings of a Conference held in Wellington 19-22 March, 1992. Ed. P. Froggatt and M. Oates. Christchurch, N.Z.: Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. 73-80.
  • "The CHIRP Database And Plant Identification." Institute Of Noxious Plants Officers Inc., National Education And Training Seminar, 15-16 August 1994 At Massey University, Palmerston North, N.Z. 1995: 89-94. No further details.
  • "Early Collections Of Seaweeds From New Zealand, Particularly Banks Peninsula." Etienne Raoul and Canterbury Botany 1840-1996. Ed. C. J. Burrows. Christchurch, N.Z.: Canterbury Botanical Society and Manuka Press, 1998. 53-57.

  • Waitangi Tribunal

  • Waitangi Tribunal Claim No. WAI 262 Concerning The New Zealand Indigenous Flora And Fauna.
  • A paper for the First International Conference on the Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Whakatane, 12-18 June 1993, Aotearoa New Zealand.