“Café des Idées - Science in Conversation” is jointly organised with FAST!* and the Embassy of France, and aims to
offer a convivial meeting platform for the exchange of ideas, information and discussion for all those who are interested
in French-related science and its broader implications for society and the natural environment.
The new format will include the possibility to connect online or to come to the event (free admission).
* France Aotearoa Science Technology and !nnovation
📅 19 April 2024 - 5.30pm to 7pm
📍 Alliance Française Wellington
🎟️ FREE EVENT but RSVP essential - Join here !
Michael Lee will present his research on Dumont d’Urville’s first visit to New Zealand in
April 1824.
Conservation biologist, historian, regional politician, living on Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand.
The former marine radio officer first encountered the journals of Dumont d’Urville’s 1827 Astrolabe visit
to New Zealand in 1996, when writing a thesis for a MSc in Biological sciences from the University of Auckland.
This sparked his interest in the largely unappreciated role of French navigators and naturalists in the scientific discovery of New Zealand and Oceania. He has been researching and writing about New Zealand natural history, especially the French role in it, ever since. This research culminated in publication of his first book ‘Navigators & Naturalists – French Exploration of New Zealand and the South Seas (1769-1824)’ which was re-edited and reprinted in 2020.
The book concludes with the highly successful world voyage of La Coquille (1822-1825), the 200th anniversary of its visit to New Zealand we are now celebrating. A sequel, provisionally entitled: ‘Te Atoramo – D’Urville returns: Voyage of the Astrolabe – Nouvelle Zélande 1827’, is approaching completion.
