Autobiography & Biography & Memoir > New Zealand Biography, Autobiography & Memoir

A moving autobiographical account of Ramzi's life from his fun-filled schooldays, dancing to the brass band, to a difficult adulthood, often dogged by illness.

Cutting Across Continents Composed of pioneering contributions to mountaineering, photography, health care, and the environment, the extraordinary life of Ebenezer Teichelmann — the early-20th-century New Zealander affectionately known as "the little doctor" — is explored in this biography. From his childhood to his studies in Australia and Europe and his rustic, conservationist adult life, a complete picture of this surgeon-general turned outdoorsman emerges. Surgeon, public health promoter, explorer, p... read more

Jason Barrell has faced more hard knocks than most. Born and raised in Northland, he was dyslexic and found schoolwork almost impossible. He was never diagnosed so was effectively written off by teachers. He left school as soon as he could - semi-literate and with no qualifications - but went on to run a successful family business with his wife before becoming a professional rugby player in the Super 12 league and, briefly, for a club in Wales. When a broken neck ended his playing career, he remained undeterred. Displaying great te... read more

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River of Blood takes us deep into the heart of the Waiatoto Valley on New Zealand's savage southern coast. This is truly our own Wild West: a place which may never really be 'won'.Transporting us from the nineteenth century to the present day, this book shows us that the men and women pioneers, musterers, hunters and pilots of South Westland's Haast District have few peers. Why? Take the isolation, the rugged geography, and the powerful and hazardous rivers, the dense bush; take the atrocious weather that is sometimes so bad for so... read more

Krystyna is one of 732 'Polish children' who survived forced deportation to the Soviet Union and was given a home in New Zealand in 1944. Her remarkable story, a composite portrait drawn from interviews with Polish survivors, begins in a peaceful Polish village and follows her family's harrowing journey to a labour camp in Siberia, the terrible flight to freedom, and Krystyna's lonely voyage to a safe refuge in New Zealand. This might be one of the most poignant stories of the last century. It is a beautifully evoked account of a c... read more

Rex Haig spent 10 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit,for the murder of Mark Roderique, a crew member on Haig's own fishing boat, Antares. The murder conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in August 2006, nearly two years after Rex Haig's release on parole. Haig's nephew, David Hogan, who claimed that he saw his uncle kill Mr Roderique, is now regarded by the Court of Appeal as a suspect for the murder, and, by at least one of the three Appeal Court Judges, as an 'utterly unreliable' witness. Rex Haig never gave up ... read more

John Esam was born in 1934 in Wellington. In 1965 he organised and read at an epochal poetry event at Albert Hall, London - featuring Allen Ginsberg and a constellation of similar talent. John has lived overseas ever since, but has never stopped writing excellent poetry. This is his life's work

One of New Zealand's most extraordinary stories describes the courage of the conscientious objectors sent overseas during WW1 in a brutal attempt to force them to renounce their convictions and join the war effort. Despite torture and privation, Archie Baxter and Mark Briggs held out till the end, in one of the bravest displays of principle New Zealand has ever seen. They were this country's first successful dissenters, in defiance of a militaristic, neo-colonial government that feared non-conformity.

Rachel Francis worked in the New Zealand sex industry for more than two decades - now she tells all in this no-holds-barred expose of prostitution in New Zealand. From losing her virginity to her first liaison with a client, through working Auckland's K-Road, escort and dominatrix work, and running the notorious Zodiac Club in Rotorua, Rachel bares all. First published 2008.

In 2006 Joseph was convicted of a violent assault on his wife. His subsequent detention meant there was a very real possibility that he might never be reunited with her and might not see his children again. Full of remorse, Joseph accepted his punishment, worked through the counselling and anger management courses he was required to complete, and fought to see his family again. During this period he took a good hard look at his life. At his violent upbringing dominated by a father whose fists were his first resort, at his hosti... read more

Sold only by Rannerdale Rest Home 03 348 7128 First published september 2006.

Colin Maiden was a New Zealand Rhodes Scholar at Oxford in the late 50s, a research engineer in Canada and a leading General Motors scientist and executive in the US, Vice Chancellor of the University of Auckland for 24 years, and professional company director or chair of companies such as NZ Synthetic Fuels, NZ Refining, Transpower, Fisher & Paykel, Farmers, NZ Steel, DB Breweries and Tower. Few other New Zealanders have been involved at the highest levels in such a variety of activities in New Zealand and overseas. Sir Colin ... read more

An in-depth examination of first missionary Samuel Marsden's New Zealand endeavours. The author researched Marsden's life and activities in New South Wales and in New Zealand and found a challenging dichotomy between his behaviour and reputation in Australia, where he is loathed, and in New Zealand where he has been little researched, but where he holds 'saint-like' status.

Two Titans analyses the leadership styles of Muldoon and Lange, the two Prime Ministers on either side of a crucial forking point in New Zealand's political history.

This collection of stories of 13 inspiring New Zealanders examines the lives of older workers who in their seventies, eighties and nineties positively contribute to the labour market and their communities. First published 2005.

A humorous, exciting and engaging autobiography recounting Liz's career as a 17-year-old Air Force Recruit then on to the New Zealand Police before moving to her current position in the CIB. A fascinating view into a job that many may have an idea about but few know the realities of.

On Wings Of The Morning by artist Deirdre Helmore is an account of a full, varied and accomplished life. Her story tells of the journey and arrival two sets of her great-grandparents on two of The First Four Ships and the interesting lives of many of her relatives and ancestors. Deirdre describes her strong, clear memories of childhood in the South Island high country, where she was encouraged by her mother into dancing, drama and art. Deirdre has known great joy, sadness, courage and happiness and her life and story are down to e... read more

Living at Mount Algidus is a compelling story of life at Mount Algidus, New Zealand’s best known high country station. Told through the eyes of city dweller Gail Turner, it is the tale of her son, Ben, and his wife AnnaâÂÂÂÂÂÂ... read more

For much of the last century the names 'Adams Bruce' and 'Ernest Adams' were familiar indeed to lovers of rich cakes and sponges. These firms shared a common origin, had bakeries in all the main centres and sponge kitchens in the smaller centres. Their bright red and white delivery vans were nearly always to be seen busily delivering cakes - often still warm from the ovens - to local shops. This is a lively tale dealing with the origins, fortunes and misfortunes of the firm, written by Hugh Adams, son of Ernest Adams, who was right... read more