By Mary O’Keefe

Kevin Jones, an archaeologist of both local and international influence, passed away recently in January 2023. 

Employed from 1978 to 1988 by the Historic Places Trust (now Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga), he undertook important work which set standards for the management of archaeological sites within forestry areas in Aotearoa.  

Kevin was one of the first New Zealand archaeologists to undertake a large-scale landscape approach to archaeology – seeing sites as a result of, and with a relationship to, the physical landscape. 

Kevin later worked with Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation and in 2008 he established his own archaeological consultancy, providing advice on proposed developments, and monitoring earthworks undertaken during development.  This work took him all over Aotearoa New Zealand, but he focussed largely on Wellington, the Kāpiti Coast and Horowhenua, and the Hawke’s Bay.  

Kevin was very active in world heritage, and he made nationally and internationally significant contributions in the realms of aerial photography of archaeological and heritage sites. 

Over his career he has taken iconic photos of archaeological sites and heritage landscapes throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, which are both rich in research detail and in sheer beauty.  His book Ngā Tohuwhenua Mai Te Rangi: A New Zealand Archaeology in Aerial Photographs is a well-thumbed and treasured volume on most archaeologists’ bookshelves and showcases.

In Australia, Kevin was the cultural expert assessor for New South Wales' Blue Mountains World Heritage nomination 1999, the cultural expert assessor for Western Australia’s Purnululu National Park World Heritage nomination 2002, and Taputapuātea on Ra'iātea Island located in French Polynesia, in 2016. He was also the cultural advisor for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area reactive monitoring mission.  

He also co-authored a thematic study for UNESCO titled Cultural Landscapes of the Pacific Islands in 2007, which engineered a major shift in UNESCO’s thinking and perception of sites as cultural landscapes rather than individual siloed entities. 

Kevin was always a fierce advocate for archaeology and best archaeological practice. He had a major influence on many New Zealand archaeologists. For many, he was a gentle and supportive mentor, encouraging people to test their thinking and interpretation, and expand their skills.  

At its conference in 2021 The New Zealand Archaeological Association bestowed on Kevin its treasured Lifetime Achievement Award. This was met by the room rising to their feet as they burst into spontaneous applause.