Elaine Wainwright: a transformative impact

Elaine came to Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland in 2003 from the University of Queensland, where she'd completed her PhD, to lead the newly formed School of Theology as the first Maclaurin-Goodfellow Professor of Theology.

After her retirement in 2014, she returned to Australia and worked as the executive leader of Mission and Ministry for the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Earlier this year, a group of Elaine's former doctoral students and colleagues from across the globe collaborated on Habitats of the Basilea, a collection of essays in honour of Elaine's internationally well-regarded work in the fields of contextual, feminist, decolonial, and ecological approaches to the study of the Bible and religion.

In addition to her leadership as a scholar and advocacy for theology in the University, Auckland, and wider world, Elaine's time at the University of Auckland was notable for characteristics that were perhaps less valued in the University at that time.
 

Well before manaakitanga (hospitality, generosity) and whanaungatanga (maintaining relationships) were officially enshrined as University values, Elaine turned the School of Theology’s old accommodation in the Fisher building into a homely place where students could come to socialise with each other and with staff, and where whanau, friends and guests would always find a place of welcome.

Elaine was an indefatigable and effective administrator, but never let bureaucratic processes get in the way of patience, kindness and care towards her colleagues and the students who passed through the school.

Since news of Elaine's death emerged, we have heard from former students attesting to the transformative impact that Elaine's teaching and example had on their lives.

Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

By Nick Thompson, Elaine’s THEOREL colleague