Heritage and Cultural Identity
Matariki: The Maori New Year by Libby Hakraia (Reed, 2004) is an introduction to the star group Matariki. Matariki featured strongly in pre-European New Zealand. It marked the beginning of the Maori calendar, and its rising before the sun in late May or early June was greeted with festivals.
The Story of a Treaty (1989) by Claudia Orange takes a look at the Treaty of Waitangi's origins, history and meanings. Bridget Williams Books
The Path to the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Ara Ki Te Tiriti (2002) by Paul Moon is a richly researched account of the origins and formation of the Treaty of Waitangi. The author is a senior lecturer in Maori Studies at the Auckland University of Technology.
Oamaru: History and Heritage (2002)by Gavin McLean. Built on nineteenth century gold and grain booms, Oamaru is now a major heritage centre. University of Otago Press
The Tribes of Muriwhenua: Their Origins and Stories (2002) is a history of the far North and the iwi Ngati Kuri, Te Aupouri, Ngai Takoto, Te Arawa, Te Paatu and Ngati Kahu. Dorothy Urlich Cloher gives whakapapa and a variety of lively and dramatic stories. Translated by Merimeri Penfold. Auckland University Press
Karen Sinclair is an American Professor who has spent thirty years working with the people of the Maramatanga. Prophetic Histories is a study of a Maori prophetic movement based on the teachings of prophetess, Mere Rikiriki. Bridget Williams Books
Tai Tokerau Whakairo Rakau: Northland Maori Wood Carving (2003) by Dierdre Brown is an introduction to Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) whakairo rakau (Maori Wood Carving) and is a fascinating and comprehensive guide to some of the earliest and most beautiful works of Maori craftmanship. Reed Publishing
Taua: 'Musket wars', 'land wars' or tikanga? Warfare in Maori Society in the Early Nineteenth Century (2003) by Angela Ballara. In contrast to earlier studies of Maori Warfare which have related the course of events without cultural context; this book asks the question 'what is a musket war?' If Maori would have fought the war anyway, with only wooden, stone and bone weapons, then the principal question becomes 'why did Maori fight wars?' Penguin Books
Auckland: The city in Literature, edited by Witi Ihimaera (2003). In his introduction to this anthology, Ihimaera describes Auckland, Tamaki makau ra, as the place desired by many. In the variety of short stories, poetry and extracts from novels and memoir, Ihimaera has skilfully constructed a literary map of the City of Sails.
Wellington: The city in Literature, edited by Kate Camp (2003). In this impressive collection of writings, Kate Camp captures the character of a unique city. Her anthology encompasses excerpts by Robin Hyde, Damien Wilkins, Patricia Grace and Samara McDowell. Wellington is 'like a beautiful, moody lover,' Kate Camp says in her introduction, 'at least you know you're alive.'
Christchurch: The city in Literature, edited by Anna Rogers (2003). 'The city of the plains', 'the garden city', 'the cathedral city'... but Christchurch also has a strong literary pedigree. Anna Rogers has selected poetry, prose and fiction that both celebrates and gently satirises the city on the Avon.
Dunedin: The city in Literature edited by Christine Johnson (2003). Dunedin's remarkable literary heritage is founded on Charles Brasch, James K Baxter and Janet Frame. There are also works by Brian Turner, Ruth Dallas and Alistair Campbell.
Books in Maori 1815-1900: An Annotated Bibliography (Maori title Nga Tanga Reo Maori) by Phil Parkinson and Penny Griffith (Reed Publishing, 2004). As the reference work on 19th century Maori publishing, it will be invaluable to students and collectors, as well as for libraries, museums and archives. Over 1600 publications are described, nearly 400 for the first time, arranged in chronological order, and with details where copies are located.
Nuclear New Zealand: Sorting Fact from Fiction by Andrew McEwan (Hazard Press, 2004). Is New Zealand 'nuclear free'? Has it ever been? These questions are discussed by the former head of the National Radiation Laboratory, Dr Andrew McEwan, in this hard-hitting new book based on a lifetime's involvement in health physics and nuclear research.
Taonga Puoro: Singing Treasures by Brian Flintoff (Craig Potton Publishing, 2004) is the first book to be published that comprehensively covers the world of Maori musical instruments, a fascinating and little-known area of traditional Maori culture. It comes with a CD sampler, compiled from a selection of recent releases and featuring tracks of contemporary Maori music and the natural sounds which inspire it.
Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand is the world’s first national encyclopedia developed specifically for the web, and it is packed with images, text, video and sound recordings. It can be accessed on: www.TeAra.govt.nz. Te Ara is being produced by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage in nine themes progressively over the next seven years. The first theme to be launched in February 2005 was ‘New Zealanders’, covering the people who have made this country their home, from the first canoes from the Pacific to today’s immigrants from around the globe.
Skin to Skin: Intimate, true stories of Maori-Pakeha relationships by Carol Archie (Penguin Books, 2005). From overcoming everyday racism to the question of racial identification in a multi-cultural land, these revealing testimonies from 37 individuals go to the heart of who we are and who we are becoming as a nation.
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