Authors: Buddy Mikaere and Cliff Simmons Publisher: Upstart Press

The 29 April 1864 Battle of Pukehinahina-Gate Pa resulted in the astonishing defeat of a force of 1700 Imperial British soldiers, sailors and a few militia, who were supported by the largest artillery battery assembled at any time during the New Zealand Wars. Their defeat was at the hands of a group of Maori irregulars just over 200 strong.

8 February 2024

Author: William Renwick Publisher: Steele Roberts Aotearoa Ltd

Early years in poverty in rural Northland during the great Depression shaped Bill's conviction that every child should have access to the best its country could provide: "Justice and equality were the compelling forces in his professional life," says Vincent O'Sullivan. When Bill died he left behind this unfinished memoir- a vivid story that starts in rugged circumstances, but thanks to positive experiences at school we see his horizons widen.

5 January 2024

Author: Farrell Cleary Publisher: Steele Roberts

Farrell Cleary was on Aotea, Great Barrier Island, the night the Tiri sank; performed guerilla theatre on the steps of Parliament; got arrested in Auckland for throwing a flower at a policeman; was a fruit-picker and railway worker in Australia; acted with Rough Theatre in London, was arrested yet again at a demo in London while working as a solicitor's clerk, taught English at the Dublin School in Barcelona; was Equity Union rep in Auckland; acted in Noh drama in Japan, went to Northern ireland in the wake of the Troubles; fought for employment righta and against nuclear warships in Japan; has been a kaitautoko at Ihumatao and it's all true!

5 January 2024

Author: Natalie Oldfield Publisher: Blackwell & Ruth

Natalie Oldfield has embarked on a very personal journey to collect the stories and culinary wisdom of over 60 grandmothers from Australia and around the world. Love & Food at Gran's Table brings together over 120 tried and true recipes; simple, wholesome and delicious food created with love by grans

11 January 2023

Authors: Lucy Hammonds, Lauren Gutsell, and Bridget Rewet. Publisher: Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

Marilynn Webb: Folded in the Hills is a substantial bilingual publication to mark the monumental retrospective of Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa and Ngāti Kahu artist Marilynn Webb (NZOM) (1937–2021) at Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

It presents essays by curators Lucy Hammonds, Lauren Gutsell, and Bridget Reweti, extant poems by Cilla McQueen and Hone Tuwhare and two new ekphrastic poems by Essa May Ranapiri and Ruby Solly.

It features over 80 colour plates from Marilynn’s career spanning 1968 to 2005.

Dec 13 2023

Author: Linda Bryder. Publisher: Auckland University Press.

The history of a momentous change in New Zealand’s maternity care – and its consequences for mothers and babies.

09 November 2023

Authors: Kirsty Johnston & James Hollings. Publisher: Massey University Press.

A fresh look at the murders of Harvey and Jeannette Crewe.

09 November 2023

Authors: Bruce Marshall & Kerry Walton. Publisher: Te Papa Press.

Part of the Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series, this accessible introduction to a range of the aquatic and terrestrial shell-bearing molluscs encountered in Aotearoa New Zealand is written by two experts from our national museum, Te Papa.

09 November 2023

Editors: Wil Hoverd & Deidre Ann McDonald. Publisher: Massey University Press.

In State of Threat, local and international academics and sector experts discuss the issues facing New Zealand across defence, diplomacy, intelligence, policy, trade and border management.

09 November 2023

Author: Lisa Jansen. Publisher: Oratia Books.

In Life Done Differently, Lisa Jansen shares her own epic journey. Fans of Eat Pray Love and Cheryl Strayed's Wild will love this adventurous, thought-provoking and inspiring memoir.

02 November 2023

Author: Hazel Riseborough. Publisher: Bridget Williams Books.

Rather than a history of Parihaka itself, Hazel Riseborough’s compelling account delves into the government’s systematic efforts to dismantle Māori rights and self-determination. First published in 1989, Days of Darkness is published now in a new edition which includes opening words contributed by the Parihaka community.

01 November 2023

Author: Ray Salisbury. Publisher: Wendy Pye Publishing.

During the last 50 years, sea kayakers, climbers and alpine trampers have been attempting audacious journeys across New Zealand. Most of these adventurers have written books on their travels. Epic condenses and retells these to inspire a new generation.

01 November 2023

Author: Damon Salesa. Publisher: Bridget Williams Books.

In this captivating collection of essays, acclaimed Pacific scholar Damon Salesa takes us on a journey through the rich cultural and historical tapestry of the Pacific.

01 November 2023

Author: Benedict Collins. Publisher: HarperCollins NZ.

With dry wit and biting insight, journalist Benedict Collins takes us inside the evolution of meth in New Zealand. From ram raids for pseudoephedrine to our own cooks and gangs 'breaking bad', a visit to the Golden Triangle of meth production in South-East Asia, multimillion-dollar busts, and a moral panic that seeded a meth-testing scandal.

01 November 2023

Authors: Various. Publisher: Huia Publishers.

Here are the best short fiction stories, short non-fiction pieces and poetry from the Pikihuia Awards for Māori writers 2023 as judged by Emma Espiner, Carol Hirschfeld, Maiki Sherman, Mike Ross, Hēmi Kelly and Robert Sullivan. This competition, run by the Māori Literature Trust and Huia Publishers, is held every two years to promote Māori writers and their work.

31 October 2023

Author: Michelle Duff. Publisher: Allen & Unwin New Zealand.

What made Jacinda Ardern such an incredibly popular New Zealand prime minister? And why did her popularity then fall so dramatically? This in-depth analysis of Jacinda Ardern's extraordinary leadership from award-winning journalist Michelle Duff examines these questions and much more. Substantially revised to provide a comprehensive overview, this edition of the bestselling biography covers Ardern's rise to power and her nearly six years as Aotearoa New Zealand's prime minister, a period that included a global pandemic, a devastating terrorist attack and a deadly volcanic eruption.

24 October 2023

Editors: Chris Brickell, Vanessa Manhire & Nonnita Rees. Publisher: Otago University Press.

Robert Lord is an important figure in the history of literature and theatre in Aotearoa New Zealand, writing incisive and often satiric radio and stage plays, experimenting with traditional theatre forms and incorporating queer characters when almost nobody else did. Lord also wrote eight lively, candid and absorbing diaries, now published for the first time in Robert Lord Diaries.

27 October 2023

Author: Dom Felice Vaggioli. Translator: John Crockett. Publisher: Otago University Press.

History of New Zealand and its Inhabitants is the English language translation of a lively, opinionated book by Dom Felice Vaggioli, an Italian monk who was one of the first Benedictine priests to be sent to Aotearoa NZ.

26 October 2023

Author: Ruth Shaw. Publisher: Allen & Unwin New Zealand.

Heartwarming and charming stories of dogs and books from Ruth Shaw, the bestselling author of The Bookseller at the End of the World.

24 October 2023

Author: Pierre Woolridge. Publisher: Effective Governance.

Being a not-for-profit board member is rewarding and a great way to give back to the community. It’s daunting, though if you’re not sure what you are letting yourself in for. This paperback gives you an overview of the things you need to know about being on a board or committee.

02 October 2023