ABSTRACT. In this paper I shall discuss my experiences of referring to Novalis in the context of Maori postcolonialism and metaphysical philosophy. As with other methods of research, from a Maori perspective one always alights on and then carries the effects of the philosopher that stands behind the method, whether the philosopher is silent or explicit. This important onto-epistemological interaction, in a general sense, acknowledges for the indigenous person that one is always ‘within’ the world and not detached from it. The maligned dead white male hence unavoid- ably becomes the highly constructive, living impulse behind what is to become fresh and innovative indigenous thinking. pp. 23–39

Keywords: Novalis; Maori postcolonialism; metaphysical philosophy