Field Notes

Contribute a Field Note

A curated route for practice-grounded contributions. This is not an open publishing feed.

01
Editorial purpose

What we are looking for

Most early Field Notes will be invited. We also consider a small number of expressions of interest from practitioners, researchers, policy people and community leaders with a specific contribution to make.

A strong proposal:

  • asks one clear question or tests one proposition;
  • draws on named practice, experience or evidence rather than general opinion;
  • explains what a practitioner, funder or decision-maker could learn;
  • is honest about uncertainty, disagreement and the limits of the claim; and
  • can be shared with the authority and permissions of the people whose knowledge it involves.

A contribution does not need to agree with Whakapapa Economics. Constructive challenge can strengthen the field when it is specific, fair and grounded.

02
The pathway

How a proposal becomes a Field Note

01

Expression of interest

Send a 150–250 word outline, not a finished article.

02

Editorial screen

We assess fit, specificity, evidence, permissions and likely value to practitioners.

03

Kōrero

If the idea fits, we agree the question, scope, audience and any cultural or client boundaries.

04

Commissioned draft

A draft is prepared only after that kōrero. A proposal does not guarantee publication.

05

Review

Claims, sources, permissions, conflicts and identifying details are checked.

06

Author approval

Nothing is published until the contributor approves the final text and licence.

03
Permissions

Protect people, knowledge and relationships

Before publication, contributors must identify relevant relationships and conflicts, confirm permissions for examples and quotations, and agree how attribution should work. We may seek an additional cultural, technical or community review when the subject requires it.

04
Rights

Authorship and licensing

Contributors retain copyright. If a note is commissioned, the contributor grants Whakapapa Economics a non-exclusive right to edit, publish and archive the agreed version. The public reuse licence is agreed before publication and displayed on the note itself.

Guest contributions are not automatically placed under the site’s CC BY-NC 4.0 licence. A Creative Commons licence applies only when the contributor has explicitly agreed to it.

Field Notes are shared for learning and discussion. The contribution process is not a route for promotional articles, sales pitches or automatic endorsement.

Expression of interest

Start with a short outline

Send 150–250 words covering the proposed question, the practice or evidence behind it, why it matters now, and any relevant permissions or conflicts. Please do not send a full manuscript.

If the button does not open your email app, write to jay@matatihi.nz with the subject “Expression of interest: Whakapapa Economics Field Note”.