22 July -- A seminar on reclaiming usage of Mori place names such as Te Waipounamu for the South Island, and spelling Whanganui with an 'h' will be broadcast live to all New Zealand universities this afternoon.

Speaker Sir Tipene O'Regan is at the centre of the debate considering official alternative Mori place names as a member of the New Zealand Geographic Board, and board member of the Manu Ao inter-university academy to support Mori academic and professional leadership. He will present the seminar between 12.30pm and 1.30pm from Canterbury University as part of the academy's weekly interactive seminars that begin today.

Sir Tipene says the seminars will feature speakers on contemporary issues and will make an important contribution towards strengthening the links between Mori academics and Mori professionals.

Moana Jackson will present the seminar on July 29 talking on the next steps for the foreshore and seabed issue, former Children's Commissioner Dr Cindy Kiro presents the seminar on August 5, followed by Dr Rangi Mataamua on the subject of Mori astronomy on August 12, then John Tamihere on the topic of Mori representation on the proposed Auckland super city on August 19.

Manu Ao is a Massey University-led $2.5 million initiative funded by the Tertiary Education Commission and is supported by all eight universities.

Its chairman is Massey Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Mori and Pasifika) Professor Mason Durie and academy director Dr Selwyn Katene is based at Massey's Wellington campus.

Dr Katene says the seminars will be of interest to Mori university staff, students, practitioners and professionals.

"The academy was established in response to the need for a well-qualified Mori academic and professional workforce of high calibre Mori leaders," he says. "The project has three main aims - advancing Mori scholarship excellence, strengthening links between Mori professionals and Mori academics and accelerating Mori leadership. These aims will be met through a series of academy-sponsored activities that also include lectures, leaders' groups, forums and symposia.

"The aim of the live lectures is to expose a wide range of methodologies, areas of scholarship and research findings."