Aa Norf’k Wieh: a pacific epistemology for reconceptualising heritage management in Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area, Norfolk Island

Abstract

Informed by critical heritage studies, Pacific theory-building scholarship and Indigenous research methodologies, this article introduces Aa Norf’k Wieh–a Pitcairn descendant epistemology for understanding the experience and management of living heritage in Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA), Norfolk Island. Central to Aa Norf’k Wieh is storytelling, reflecting the oral traditions of Pitkern-Norf’k. Aa Norf’k Wieh is captured in the article through the Indigenous research methodology of storywork, with personal family narratives revealing different ways of knowing, being, feeling, and doing heritage. Based on the storying of Aa Norf’k Wieh, the article proposes that, as a Pacific epistemic practice, Aa Norf’k Wieh has the potential to reconfigure how heritage value is understood by heritage managers, consultants, and scholars to produce more culturally just heritage management for KAVHA. The article posits that attention to this epistemology supports a shift from material- and values-based approaches to heritage management on Norfolk Island to a living heritage approach that centres Pitcairner descendants as the core community of KAVHA.