KEY POINTS:
Scott Morrison doesn't know who to thank for the honour of speaking at the Oxford Round Table conference.
The Unitec adjunct professor and former television newsreader was invited to attend the renowned university in July but has no idea how organisers found him.
"My initial suspicion was that it's come about as a product of my appointment as adjunct professor here at Unitec," Mr Morrison said. "But if someone has nominated me, they haven't revealed themselves to me."
The Oxford Round Table is a not-for-profit educational organisation set up to provide a forum for discussion of contemporary issues - this year's theme is biculturalism. Mr Morrison will join a group of 40 people from around the world invited to the conference, and is one of a small handful of New Zealanders to have gone.
His paper, titled Officially Not Indigenous, considers how the wording of the 1987 Maori Language Act shaped the relationship between Maori and Pakeha. "I'm hoping this conference will expose me to the insights other people around the world have on biculturalism, but the biggest thrill for me by far is representing Maori people and advocating for them."
Mr Morrison received the title of adjunct professor at the end of last year in recognition of his expertise in teaching Maori language and tikanga.
The Oxford Round Table conference is from July 21-25.
