Te Ara: Māori Pathways of Leadership

Coming this month is our newest publication Te Ara: Māori Pathways of Leadership, a full-colour paperback that documents the trajectory of Māori leadership from first settlement of Aotearoa/New Zealand through to the challenges and opportunities of the present day.

This 32-page book is concisely written by Paul Tapsell, professor of Māori studies at the University of Otago, with Dr Merata Kawharu, director of the James Henare Māori Research Centre of the University of Auckland, and features beautiful photos by Krzysztof Pfeiffer, photographer at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and author of over 20 books.

After a general introduction to Māori history, Te Ara focuses on the stories of iwi in five regions – Hokianga, Peowhairangi (Bay of Islands) Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Waiariki (Rotorua-Taupo) and Murihiku (Otago-Southland).

Te Ara accompanies an exhibition that will open in Olsztyn, Poland, on 22 September, before touring in Poland and then elsewhere to Europe. The present edition contains text in three languages – Māori, English and Polish – definitely a first!

Te Ara: Māori Pathways of Leadership - ISBN 978-1-877514-12-8 - retails at $19.99

Turin, Chocolate and Books (Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino)

Last week we went to Turin, I like to specify that we did not go to see the Sindone! We went for the Turin International Book Fair, Il Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino. For a report click here.

And of course we visited the city, which is very elegant. A must is the Mole Antonelliana (photo above), a gigantic folly if you ask me, but the children loved taking the lift up, and the view was worth it. Sadly, after all that rain, the river Po was brown (photo below).

Turin is also famous for its chocolate, especially gianduiotti, my favourite chocolates!

One of the best things for the kids was to go to the Egyptian Museum, the second biggest in the world after Cairo. My boy dreams to become and archeologist, he loves Ancient Egypt, and this was so exciting for him!

With the book fair and the Sindone, it wasn't easy to find a hotel. Fortunately fellow blogger Yari of Il Cucchiaio di Legno gave me a few names, and we stayed here (La Casa di Flora, photo below) in a lovely Liberty style building. It was also great to meet Yari...but I forgot to take a photo!!! Sorry Yari!

The book fair was interesting, we were the only publisher from New Zealand, actually, the only one further East of India (which was the guest nation to the book fair)! I went to listen to a few talks with the kids while my husband had meetings, and we visited several book and publishers' stands.

But the highlight for me was to meet Carlo Petrini, the president of Slow Food International and one of the speakers at the Salone. When I will find some time I will write a quick note about it on the Slow Food Waitakere Blog.

Bye for now,

Alessandra

Nga Waka o Neherā

The history of New Zealand is fascinating, and particularly fascinating is the history of the early settlements of Maori who voyaged by canoe (waka) across the oceans to reach Aotearoa.

ISBN: 978-1-877514-04-3

THE BOOK:

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, names of crew members and vessels, karakia and waiata, and maps. A must for lovers of history, students of Maori and nautical enthusiasts.

This is the second in a programme of short-run reissues of important New Zealand books by Libro International.

THE AUTHOR:

Jeff Evans is a writer and photographer who works for leading clients in New Zealand and overseas. An authority on Maori canoes, Jeff is also the author of Waka Taua: The Maori War Canoe, The Discovery of Aotearoa and Maori Weapons in Pre-European New Zealand, and editor of Elsdon Best’s Notes on the Art of War. Jeff lives in Waitakere City.

First To Care

Celebrating 125 years of the Order of St John in New Zealand, 1885–2010, one of our most ubiquitous and vital charitable organisations.

Click here

Book Launch and Chilled Cucumber Soup

The Iron-Bound Coast book launch

12 September 2009 - Going West Books & Writers Festival

Oratia Media was pleased to launch the third title of its Libro International book list - The Iron-Bound Coast: Karekare in the Early Years - at the Going West festival. On stage, publisher Peter Dowling and writer Bob Harvey spoke to a crowd of over 150 about the historical significance of the book and its wry and witty tales, while a slideshow of old pictures in the background gave an insight of Karekare at the beginning of last century. Author Wallace Badham died in 2001, but he was represented by family members including son, Warwick.

Thanks to the Badham family, the local organisations that supported the book, our talented publishing team, and the fine people behind the Going West festival for their help in making this a memorable night.

Read more about the making of The Iron-Bound Coast book, and an interview with Bob Harvey on the Western Leader

Bookman and blogger Graham Beattie was there to report on the Festival.

Beattie's Book Blog

And after the talks the celebrations continued with Italian nibbles made by Oratia Media Creative Director Alessandra Zecchini, and wine offered by Artisan Wines.

And now a final note: a few guests from the launch asked to know the recipe of the chilled cucumber soup, so here it is:

Alessandra's Chilled Cucumber Soup

Ingredients:

1 telegraph cucumber

A few generous pinches of salt

4 tbsp white balsamic condiment (or white aromatic vinegar)

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

5 fresh mint leaves

2 garlic cloves, peeled

750 ml plain full cream yogurt

Salt and pepper to taste.

Carrot sticks and Borage flowers to decorate.

Slice the cucumber (do not peel) and place in a colander with salt. Stir and let the cucumber sweat for 30 minutes. Rinse well under cold running water and then place in a blender with the vinegar (only use white vinegar). Let the cucumber absorb the vinegar for 10 minutes, the add extra virgin olive oil, mint, garlic and yogurt. Blend a few times, until liquid and lightly frothy. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste and store in the fridge until serving time. Shake well before serving (in shot glasses) and decorate with thin carrot sticks and borage flowers.

Going West Books & Writers Festival 2009

The Going West Books and Writers Festival comprises an exciting range of word-based events including the theatre

season, poetry slam, rare and second-hand book market, writers in schools programme, the literary weekend - bringing together

writers and performers from around the country and Storyfest, the free family day.

The festival will be running from 17 August - 26 September

at various venues in Waitakere City.

Celebrate the West:

Westside Forever - FREE Afternoon

Saturday 12 September

4:30 to 5:30 - An insiders look at 'Outrageous Fortune' with James Griffin, Rachel Lang and Robyn Malcolm (Cheryl)

5:30 Book launch - The Ironbound Coast - Karekare in the Early Years,

with wine and nibbles (by Alessandra)

For the Festival Programme click here

The Iron-Bound Coast: Karekare in the early years

The Iron-Bound Coast is a rare book. Discovered by writer and Waitakere City mayor Bob Harvey while researching Auckland’s spectacular west coast, the two manuscripts for the work were written in long hand with photos laboriously pasted in. Wally Badham had set out to preserve his crystal-clear memories of early Karekare for his nieces, but has created a work of living history that speaks to all New Zealanders.

Bob Harvey recalls his excitement on discovering The Iron-Bound Coast: “I realised this is truly a rich gem, a legacy of not only remote Karekare beach, but a grand story of this country. Wally speaks in a voice that reflects the time; a time that is now rapidly fading in memory and people.”

Illustrated with 215 photos, most never before published, this hardback edition marks the third release of the Libro International book imprint from Waitakere-based publisher Oratia Media.

Managing director Peter Dowling heralded the publication: “We are thrilled to publish The Iron-Bound Coast, a work of historical significance and entertaining content. We hope we’ve done Wally proud – everyone who reads it seems to fall under his spell.”

Review copies are available now; the book launches at theGoing West Books and Writers Festival on 12 September and will be in stores from 15 September.

Extracts and photos from the work are available to selected media.

THE AUTHOR

Wallace Badham grew up at Karekare and left only with the onset of World War II. His unhappy later life belied the accomplishments and adventure of his youth, when he was among the first pilots in Auckland and spent days roaming across the remote valleys of the Waitkare Ranges. He retained a deep affection for the area and its history until his death in 2001.

THE EDITOR

Bob Harvey, historian, writer and mayor of Waitakere City, has edited the Badham text. A prolific author, Harvey is the author of six books centred on the west coast and its history, including Untamed Coast, Rolling Thunder and Wild Beast: The Art of Dean Buchanan. Bob spends much of his time at his beach home in Karekare.

THE PUBLISHER

The Iron-Bound Coast is the third book from Libro International, the new book division launched this year by Oratia Media. It followsOutrageous Fortune: The West Family Album, and Tim Tipene’s Kura Toa: Warrior School. Libro International is taking New Zealand history, Maori studies, children’s and general nonfiction titles to the world.

The Iron-Bound Coast: Karekare in the early years

Wallace Badham; edited by Bob Harvey

ISBN: 978-1-877514-01-2

Format: 200 pages, jacketed hardback

Publisher: Libro International, an imprint of Oratia Media Ltd, Auckland; www.oratiamedia.com

Recommended retail price: $60

The Outrageous Fortune Drinking Game

Libro International's latest book, Outrageous Fortune: The West Family Album,
is featured in the NZ Herald

(including an extract from the Outrageous Fortune drinking game).

Click here to read it, and happy drinking!

Working for children in Waitakere City

Click here to see images of Kura Toa book launch in Henderson.

Kura Toa

ISBN             978-1-877514-02-9

Summary 

Haki needs to find the pounamu that was stolen from him after a car crash. In his search he must confront his fears and find a way to answer the challenge to serve his people, his land, to fight a taniwha and to grow, ultimately becoming a warrior.

Author biography   

Tim Tipene has written several books for children and  received a Picture Book Honour Award  in the 2006 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults with Haere, Farewell Jack Farewell. Tim is the leader of the Kura Toa/Warrior Kids warrior training programme for at-risk young people. He lives in Waitakere City and has two children.