Background
Simmons, David Roy was born on September 6, 1930 in Aukland, New Zealand. Son of Wilfred Henshall and Mabel Clair (Bedingfield) Simmons.
Simmons, David Roy was born on September 6, 1930 in Aukland, New Zealand. Son of Wilfred Henshall and Mabel Clair (Bedingfield) Simmons.
Diploma, Sorbonne University, Paris, 1953. Diploma in Celtic studies, University Rennes, Britanny, France, 1954. Bachelor, University Auckland, 1960.
Master of Arts, University Auckland, 1962.
From 1962 to 1968 he was the keeper in anthropology at Otago Museum in Dunedin. He was appointed as the ethologist at the Auckland Institute and Museum in 1968, and became the assistant director of Auckland War Memorial Museum in 1978. He wrote many books relating to Māori art, culture and history, including: The Maori Hei-tiki (1966) with Henry Devenish Skinner.
The Great New Zealand Myth (1976).
Tā Moko (1986); and Whakairo (1994). He also edited Juris Doctor.H. Buchanan"s The Māori History and Place Names of Hawke"s Bay (1973), and George Graham"s Maori Place Names of Auckland (first published 1980).
Simmons died on 30 November 2015.
Member Auckland Institute and Museum (life), Royal Society New Zealand (life), Polynesian Society (council member 1979-1985, Elsdon Best Memorial medal 1982, M.B.E. 1985).
Married Winifred Mary Harwood, August 6, 1955. Children: Christopher, Nigel.