New Zealand Books > Maoritanga

First published 1999. Book now out of print.

How can traditional Maori built environments inform contemporary urban development? - How could Maori values inspire our visions for the 21st century city? - What can indigenous knowledge tell us about how to create a more sustainable design for the future? Taone Tupa Ora suggests answers to these important questions, bringing together perspectives on a broad range of urban issues, from Maori development to architecture, town planning to strategic growth management. It collects stories of iwi experiences in the 21... read more

The essential reference work on Maori voyaging canoes. Collects all published information on the topic into one volume. An essential item for libraries of New Zealand history.Attractive design with maps for easy reference.Includes special sections on Maui’s and Rata’s waka. Finally back in print after more than five years, this is the essential reference work to the traditions of Maori canoes that voyaged to New Zealand – including lists of the waka, name... read more

This book, first published in 1992, offers Pakeha New Zealanders an insight into Maori thought and values and the basis for the sort of understanding and partnership that should exist between Pakeha and Maori. It also presents a new perspective from which long-held Pakeha values can be reassessed. John Patterson attempts, as an investigative philosopher, to come to grips with personal, embedded limitations that inform any look into one world-view from the perspective of another. He demonstrates a high degree of empathy with and res... read more

This exceptional book highlights over 120 taonga tuku iho (ancestral Maori treasures) from Te Papa's collections. Rich images of these precious objects, are accompanied by stories from the artists who created the taonga, the people who used them in daily life, and their living descendants. Items include traditional carvings, weapons, waka huia (treasure containers), jewellery, and taonga such as puppets used by tohunga (ritual experts) and tools for tamoko (customary skin marking). Maps, diagrams, and additional photographs - both ... read more

These five stylish books introduce fascinating objects from Te Papa’s collections – from the most valuable and unique items to the quirkiest. Small and easy to mail and carry, the books make an ideal gift or souvenir.Each book is full of pictures and information, including a general introduction on the objects and a brief history of this bold an... read more

Originally published: Wellington, N.Z. : Dominion Museum, 1929. Includes bibliographical references and index. An account of the cosmogony, anthropogeny, religious beliefs and rites, magic and folk lore of the Maori folk of New Zealand First published 1924; this reprint with alterations 2005. Elsdon Best was a prolific recorder of pre-European Maori social life and material culture. His work established him as New Zealand's foremost ethnographer of Maori society. Best based is research on rare first-hand knowledge, wide rea... read more

Includes bibliographical references and index. An account of the cosmogony, anthropogeny, religious beliefs and rites, magic and folk lore of the Maori folk of New Zealand. First published 1982(50 years after it was written. Elsdon Best was a prolific recorder of pre-European Maori social life and material culture. His work established him as New Zealand's foremost ethnographer of Maori society. Best based is research on rare first-hand knowledge, wide reading, informed study and discussion with Maori. His was a lifelong pr... read more

First published 1912; this edition with foreword 2005.

Tene Waitere of Ngati Tarawhai (1854-1931) was the most innovative Maori carver of his time; his works reached global audiences decades before the globalisation of culture became a fashionable topic. Rauru is the highlight of a famous anthropological museum in Germany. Hinemihi, the carved house featured in one section of this book, sheltered survivors of the Tarawera eruption in 1886 before being removed to the park of an English country house. His carved Ta Moko panel is one of Te Papa the Museum of New Zealand's icons. Three out... read more

Original edition published by Thomas Avery and Sons, New Plymouth. Information on the beliefs and philosophy of the Maori.

Written by master carver and Maori instrument maker Brian Flintoff, this book includes a background to the tunes played on these instruemnts, and the families of natural sounds with which they are associated. There are sections covering the various types of instruments, such as flutes, gourds, wood and shell trumpets and bullroarers; but what really breathes life into this book is the way that the technical information about each instrument is interwoven with the mythological and cultural contect to which it belongs. Illustrated w... read more

Hinemoa, Mahinaarangi, Muriwai, Wairaka, Huritini, Kakara, Rona, Haumapuhia and Kurungaituku are women of mana in Maori myths and histories. Their traditional stories are presented here alongside beautiful and fresh retellings. Ngahuia Te Awekotuku brings a subtle trickster's voice to this steamy, sometimes shocking collection that journeys from alien abduction to vampirism via love, revenge and sexual trespass.

<b>'Relationships between and among people need to be managed and guarded by some rules.'</b><br><br>Professor Hirini Moko Mead's comprehensive survey of tikanga Maori (Maori protocol) is the most substantial of its kind ever published.<br><br>Areas discussed include: social structures and groupings, the tapu-noa principle, protocol of the marae, welcome ceremonies, mourning ceremonies, tikanga of settlement and ritual confiscation, gift-giving etiquette, relationships between identity and land, ... read more

<b>This substantial change in our society will have major implications for Maori and wider society.</b><br><br>Professor Durie discusses traditions and customs and addresses contemporary needs in order to build development strategies for the launch of the Maori population into the new millenium. This work also suggests models for the development of other indigenous peoples.<br><br><i>Professor Mason Durie (Rangitane, Ngati Kauwahata, Ngati Raukawa) is currently a professor of Maori research... read more

This is a highly readable biography of Sir Graham Latimer. It tracks Sir Graham's life from his humble beginnings to the setbacks and triumphs of his shrewd public career. Harrison's biography evokes the far north of New Zealand pre-World War II, the shocking J Force occupation of Japan and the salient Maori political issues of post-World War II New Zealand. For decades Sir Graham has managed to navigate New Zealand's stormy political seas. He is a former Maori vice-president of the National Party who is now asked for opinions a... read more

How much can oral traditions tell us about the past of a people? Rawiri Te Maire Tau examines the nature and forms of Ngai Tahu traditions-waiata/songs.karakia/chants,whakapapa/genealogies, and placenames and how they might be interpreted.His principle sources include family manuscripts written by elders of the tribe in the late nineteenth century.He looks at key events and relationships,compares them with the traditions of other tribes,and asks what is myth and what is history? The Ngai Tahu story is one of migration from the N... read more

This is a history, taken from his own words, of one of New Zealand's most important Maori leaders. To date, it is the most complete collection of sources and commentary surrounding the life of Wiremu Tamihana Te Waharoa Tarapipipi, rangatira of the Ngati Haua iwi, commonly referred to as 'The Kingmaker' for his role in the institution of the Maori King Movement.

`So Ngati Poneke was on the wharf when the ship pulled out. All the boys were already on the boat. And as it got lighter you could pick out some of them. We knew quite a few because of the club. Only when the boat was pulling away from the wharf did they open the gates to let the people through. But of course by that time it was too late. People were bawling their eyes out. As the ship left, Ngati Poneke sang the farewell songs.' Meri Mataira The Silent Migration records the remarkable stories, told to Jonathan Dennis, Patricia G... read more

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