Joan Metge facts for kids

Dame Alice Joan Metge (born 21 February 1930) is a famous New Zealand expert. She studies how people live together in groups. She is also a teacher, speaker, and writer.

About Dame Joan Metge

Joan Metge was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on February 21, 1930. She grew up in the suburb of Mount Roskill. Her parents were Alice Mary Metge and Cedric Leslie Metge.

Her Education Journey

Joan went to Matamata District High School first. Then she attended Epsom Girls' Grammar School. After high school, she studied at the Auckland University College. She earned a Master of Arts degree there in 1952. Later, she continued her studies in London. She received her PhD from the London School of Economics in 1958.

Working for Peace and Understanding

Dame Joan has worked hard for peace and understanding between different cultures. She was a member of the Waitangi National Trust Board. This board helps look after an important historical site in New Zealand.

She often spoke at conferences and gave advice to people. She also helped train mediators. Mediators are people who help solve disagreements. Dame Joan is an expert on the Māori culture. She has helped many people learn about different cultures.

She has written many books and articles. Dame Joan once compared the people of New Zealand to a strong rope. She said that a rope has "many strands which when woven or working together create a strong nation." This means that when different groups of people work together, they make a country stronger.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Dame Joan Metge has received many important awards for her work.

Becoming a Dame

In 1987, she was given a very special title. She became a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. This was for her great work in anthropology. Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures.

Other Important Awards

• In 1990, she received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.
• In 1997, the Royal Society of New Zealand gave her the Te Rangi Hiroa Medal. This award is for excellent research in social sciences.
• The University of Auckland gave her an honorary degree in 2001. This means they recognized her achievements with a special Doctor of Letters degree.
• In 2006, she won the Asia-Pacific Mediation Forum Peace Prize. This award was given in Suva, Fiji.
• In 2017, she was chosen as one of the "150 women in 150 words" by the Royal Society Te Apārangi. This celebrated women who have contributed a lot to knowledge in New Zealand.

The Dame Joan Metge Medal

Because of Dame Joan Metge's important work, a special medal was created in her honor. The Royal Society of New Zealand started the Dame Joan Metge Medal in 2006.

What the Medal is For

This medal is given out every two years. It goes to a New Zealand social scientist. They receive it for being excellent in teaching or research. It also recognizes other activities that help build good relationships between researchers and the people they study. Since 2017, the medal is simply called the Metge Medal.