NZ Social History, Politics, Law & Crime

Comprising much wholly new and unpublished material this is the story of the various companies set up by would be colonisers, culminating in the New Zealand Company which set thousands of emigrants to the other side of the world.

Heinemann Reed, Auckland, 1989. Hardback with dust jacket. 327 pages. SECONDHAND

A full history of the company's 'Native' lands in Nelson and Wellington provinces compiled from Parliamentary Papers and Departmental documents, published under the authority of the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata.

Government Printer, Wellington, 1930. Hardback, no dust jacket. 116 pages. SECONDHAND

A scholarly biography of the family who played a key but controversial role in early British New Zealand, Australia and Canada and more especially the establishment of the Wellington, Nelson and Canterbury settlements. Illustrated.

Auckland University Press, 2002. Hardback with dust jacket. 584 pages. SECONDHAND

An examination of the complex life and career of Stafford, offering new insights into the personalities and events of a period characterised by racial wars, provincial rivalries and the tumultuous establishment of a parliamentary system.

Hazard Press Ltd., Christchurch, 1994. Softback. 432 pages. SECONDHAND

An historical biography of the giant of nineteenth century New Zealsnd politics. One of the volumes in the Makers of Austrasia series. Illustrated.

Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., Christchurch, 1909. Hardback, no dust jacket. 233 pages. SECONDHAND

A biography of one of the makers of modern New Zealand. A bold borrower, a passionate gambler, a man with an eye to commerce who could yet entertain the most visionary schemes and the man who broke open the provincial system that had hindered the integrated development of the country.

The Caxton Press, Christchurch, 1948. Hardback with dust jacket. 236 pages. SECONDHAND

A most popular prime minister Ballance was born in Belfast. He founded the Wanganui Herald  and at 36 entered Parliament. In 1890 he led the reformist NZ Liberal Party to victory but died of cancer during his second year of office. He managed to lay the foundations for women's suffrage and labour law reform.

Heinemann Reed Ltd., Auckland, 1989. Hardback with dust jacket. 290 pages. SECONDHAND

The career of New Zealand's most significant domestic reformer, the political causes he espoused, including women's suffrage and his life as a woolgrower and one of the first to export of frozen meat to Britain.

Dryden Press, Hororata, 1995. Hardback with dust jacket. 362 pages. SECONDHAND

A history of the Liberal Party in New Zealand and a biography of the great Liberal leader issued immediately after his death. Published in 1907 in an edition of 2000 copies. Bagnall D647. A very good copy.

Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., Christchurch. Hardback, no dust jacket. 392 pages. SECONDHAND

A reappraisal of the political career of William Ferguson Massey, best remembered for 'Massey's Cossacks'- citizens called in to help break the 1913 waterfront strike. Massey was also prime minister throughout the First World War and took part in the post war peace conference.

Otago University Press, Dunedin, 2011. Softback. 172 pages. NEW

The authoritative biography of a great Maori leader drawing on previously unseen personal papers and unknown diaries and letters.

David Ling Publishing, Auckland, 2006. Softback. 398 pages. SECONDHAND

A political memoir and a valuable first hand account of the politicians of his time, including Fraser, Nash, Nordmeyer, Kirk and Rowling and of a 1955 visit to comunist China.

Victoria University Press, Wellington, 2004. Softback. 279 pages. SECONDHAND

The achievement of women's suffrage was the culmination of the feminist movement concerned about the position of women in other spheres. Suffrage was achieved under the wing of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, led by Kate Sheppard. This is the first full accont of that achievement.

Auckland University Press, 1972. Hardback with dust jacket. 151 pages. SECONDHAND

Magnificently illustrated and impeccably researched this volume provides a new way  of looking at the place of women in New Zealand society since the dramatic days of suffrage in 1893. A superb book.

Viking Penguin Books NZ Ltd., Auckland, 1993. Hardback with dust jacket. 332 pages. SECONDHAND

The centennial history of the New Zealand Woman's Christian Temperance Union 1885-1985, an organisation dedicated to humanitarian service and social development. Illustrated.

New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Union Inc., Nelson, 1985. Hardback with dust jacket. 175 pages. SECONDHAND

Explores how and why the state became such an active and interventionist player in New Zealand life, developing, subsidising and regulating the economy and protecting citizens from the cradle to the grave.

Auckland University Press, 1998. Softback. 445 pages. SECONDHAND

A comprehensive history of the vote and elections since the beginning of representative government in the 1850s. NZ democratic innovations have been shaped by pragmatism, principles and personalities. Illustrated.

Otago University Press, Dunedin, 2003. Softback. 319 pages. SECONDHAND

An account of the popular and nationalist left wing New Zealand literary movement stimulated by by the international political events of the 1930s and 1940s.

Victoria University Press, Wellington, 1991. Softback. 287 pages. SECONDHAND

Traces the varied and generally ad hoc responses of New Zealand governments to Maori health needs; administration and funding, hospitals, medical officers and infection control.

Victoria University Press, Wellington, 1999. Softback. 280 pages. SECONDHAND

A reading book for the use of children who have passed Standard III in the Native Schools. Facinating social history, First published in 1884 this is the third edition. A fine copy.

Government Printer, Wellington, 1901. Hardback, no dust jacket. 152 pages. SECONDHAND

The centennial history of the Plunket society, dedicated to child health and child health care. A community owned and community driven organisation. Well illustrated.

Random House NZ, Auckland, 2007. Softback. 224 pages. SECONDHAND

A comprehensive history of Plunket in the context of its complex relations with the Government and changing views on infant health and the growth of paediatrics.

Auckland University Press, 2003. Softback. 352 pages. SECONDHAND

Details New Zealand's worst ever public health crisis in which over 8,500 people died in just six weeks. Nearly a quarter of the victims were Maori who died at seven times the death rate of European New Zealanders. First published in 1988, this revised edition has three new chapters.

Canterbury University Press, Christchurch, 2005. Hardback, no dust jacket as issued. 327 pages. SECONDHAND

The moving story of the life and work of Nurse Maude, O.B.E., her social work with women and children and the development of the organisation. First published in 1950.

Nurse Maude District Nursing Association, Christchurch, 1987. Hardback with dust jacket. 170 pages. SECONDHAND

Illustrated history of the Nurse Maude District Nursing Association and its tireless efforts to avdvance the practice and training of nurses.

Nurse Maude Foundation, Christchurch, 1996. Hardback, no dust jacket as issued. 166 pages. SECONDHAND

A refreshing, unexpected and valuable insight into our social and cultural history. The author explores the old world evils of dirt and decay in a new colonial setting. The topics include mud and swamps, sewerage, toilets, slums, abattoirs and cemeteries.

Otago University Press, Dunedin, 2005. Softback. 264 pages. NEW

The long professional life of New Zealand born, London physician Myers. During the first world war he was commanding officer of the NZEF hospital at Walton on Thames, during the second world war he served with the Red Cross. Illustrations.

A.H. and A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1949. Hardback, no dust jacket. 159 pages. SECONDHAND

An illustrated autobiography of Hand-Newton, a medical student at Edinburgh in 1903, he saw service at Gallipoli, in Palestine and in France, before taking up medical practice in Christchurch. He was brother-in-law of Ernest Rutherford and recounts his recollections of the great man. Sunned to spine.

N.M. Peryer Ltd., Christchurch, 1967. Hardback with dust jacket. 73 pages. SECONDHAND

Tells the story of the forgotten immigrants whose presence in New Zealand, though unacknowledged, was vital to the prosperity of others. Special emphasis is given to the lot of single women and domestic servants, along with the vagabonds, dance girls, prostitutes and hotel workers.  

A.H. and A.W. Reed Ltd., Wellington, 1984. Hardback with dust jacket. 160 pages. SECONDHAND

A facinating study that describes the work, employment relationships, living conditions, wages and expectations of a crucial part of the nineteenth century labour force who were essential to the development of the rural economy.

Allen and Unwin NZ Ltd., Wellington, 1990. Softback. 228 pages. SECONDHAND

A review of the first New Zealand welfare experiment born of commonplace Victorian values, independence, self-help, hard work, thrift and family responsibility. A complete contrast to the much vaunted creation of the welfare state of the end of the 19th century. 

Auckland University Press, 1998. Softback. 180 pages. SECONDHAND

The history of legal and illegal whisky distillation in New Zealand including Howdens of Dunedin, Cawkwells of Auckland and the famous Southland Hokonui moonshine. Fascinating social history.

William Collins Publishers Ltd.,  Auckland, 1980. Hardback with dustjacket. 141 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, from its establishment in the 1920s to the changes leading up to its dismantling as a unitary government organisation.

Victoria University Press, Wellington, 1998. Softback. 299 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of economic activity in New Zealand from beginnings, linking Maori with European settlement in the early nineteenth century and finishing in 1939 with the outbreak of war.

Collins Bros., and Co., Ltd., Auckland, 1970. Hardback with dust jacket. 464 pages. SECONDHAND

An account of European settler society in the years 1850-1900, settlers who saw themselves as living in an ideal society free from the evils of the old world. This book examines these ideas and suggests a new way of understanding NZ social history.

Auckland University Press, 1989. Softback, 316 pages. SECONDHAND

An account of religious practice in Australasia, the religious customs of settlers, the distribution of Protestant and Catholic and the development of religious ideas.

Allen & Unwin NZ Ltd., Wellington, 1987. Softback. 210 pages. SECONDHAND

A collection of papers that explores the relationship between religion and politics in New Zealand, both in  contemporay society and that of the past.

University of Otago Press, Dunedin, 2000. Softback. 146 pages. SECONDHAND

A stalwart of the Labour Party in Dunedin, Phil Connolly served with distiction in the RNVR and as captain of HMNZS Moa during World War II. In 1943 he was elected to Parliament and served for 20 years. From 1957-60 he was Minister of Defence and Minister of Police.  

Steel Roberts Publishing, Wellington, 2009. Softback. 323 pages. NEW

The story of the growth of the Stock Exchange as an institution, with accounts of its central role in tumultuous episodes in New Zealand history, from the mining booms of the 1860s to the economic reforms and speculation of the 1980s.

Victoria University Press, Wellington, 1997. Hardback with dust jacket. 414 pages. SECONDHAND

Begins with the post war investigations of possible peacefull use of nuclear technology and then considers subsequent issues, nuclear testing, confrontations with France, the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, nuclear-powered ship visits, ANZUS and the nuclear free legislation.

Victoria University Press, Wellington, 2006. Softback. 621 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of the people who have helped build New Zealand's trade over more than a century. It is written by various former and current trade officials.

Penguin Books NZ, Auckland, 2009. Softback. 263 pages. SECONDHAND

A comprehensive history of the Department of Labour from the early years when it was a world pioneer and examines employment, industrial relations, immigration etc., up to 1995. Crease to rear cover.

Canterbury University Press, Christchurch, 1996. Softback. 478 pages. SECONDHAND

A full illustrated history of New Zealand coalmining unionism, that presents the rich diversity of industrial and political life on the coalfields and the miners role in the great industrial upheavals of 1890, 1912-13 and 1951.

Auckland University Press, Auckland, 1995. Softback. 344 pages. SECONDHAND

This bitter and at times very violent strike was one of the worst in New Zealand history. This illustrated account provides a compelling picture of Waihi and its people on stike.

Oxford University Press, Auckland, 1982. Softback. 176 pages. SECONDHAND

A full account of the most turbulent period in New Zealand's industrial history: the period of the 'Red' Federation of Labour. The story begins with the Blackball strike of 1908, and finishes with the great strike of 1913, and its aftermath.

Oxford University Press, Auckland, 1988. Hardback with dust jacket. 296 pages. SECONDHAND

The diary records a period in society beset with economic turmoil and war. McCullough was a political reformer, a pragmatic idealist who worked tirelessly to better the lives of others through protest, union and arbitration court activity. This took him close to the centres of power and he was a very influential figure in the developing socialism of the period.

Dunmore Publishing, Wellington, 2009. Softback. 408 pages. NEW. 

A serious and scholarly study of the bitter and protacted dispute on the waterfront in the postwar period. After 151 days the union was finally forced to capitulate by the National Government of the day. The dispute has become a key event in the history of New Zealand labour relations.

A.H. and A.W. Reed Ltd., Wellington, 1972. Hardback with dust jacket. 264 pages. SECONDHAND

A collection of essays about the 1951 dispute, the biggest 'blue' in NZ history that lasted for 151 days and affected 22,000 workers in a population of only one million at the time.

Canterbury University Press, Christchurch, 2004. Softback. 216 pages. SECONDHAND

Illustrated history of Gang Life in New Zealand. Beginning with the bodgies and widgies of the 1950s, the Hells Angels of the 1960s, the Mongrel Mob and Black Power of the 1970s and the shift to organised crime in the last decade.

Auckland University Press, 2013. Softback. 332 pages. NEW

The first record of the Pacific rights and social activist movement in New Zealand, told by those who were there. A revolt against discrimination by islanders trying to integrate.

Reed Publishing NZ Ltd., Auckland, 2006. Softback. 141 pages. SECONDHAND

The first volume in a three volume history of policing in New Zealand. It concentrates on the first phase of establishing police authority in the colony, the Armed Constabulary and the setting up of the various Provincial Government police forces. Signed by the author.

Government Printer, Wellington, 1986. Hardback with dust jacket. 409 pages. SECONDHAND

In arguing the case for the establishment of a sworn NZ Police Reserve the authours take an historical, sociological and political journey of 20C industrial relations including a close examination of the role and organisation if the infamous Massey's Cossacks deployed during the 1913 waterfront strike.

Institute of Public Polocy, Auckland University of Technology, 2005. Softback. 273 pages. SECONDHAND

Volume 5 in the series of police histories covers the 1951 waterfront lockout, the growing role of women in the force, the Crewe murders, the police view of the 1981 Springbok tour and the development of forensic science and the emergance of specialist squads, plus much else of interest.

Otago University Press, Dunedin, 2005. Hardback with dust jacket. 348 pages. SECONDHAND

The first full analysis of the history of the corrections system in New Zealand, weighing the complex factors that have driven the philosophy and practice since 1840.

Dunmore Publishing Ltd., Wellington, 2007. Softback. 337 pages. SECONDHAND

Sir Jack Hunn was one of New Zealand's most distinguished public servants who had a varied and challenging career but received greatest acclaim for the Hunn Report that promoted the moral and legal rights of Maori. This copy signed by the author.

Dunmore Press Ltd., Palmerston North, 1982. Hardback with dust jacket. 237 pages. SECONDHAND

The strong, compelling and shocking story about one of New Zealand's most high-profile criminal cases-a story of child abuse allegations, gender politics and the law. A superb example of investigative journalism.

Longacre Press, Dunedin, 2001. Hardback with dust jacket. 672 pages. SECONDHAND

A study that challenges liberal accounts of the development of state schooling in New Zealand, the perspective adopted is that of the revisionist school of historians.

The Dunmore Press Ltd., Palmerston North, 1987. Softback. 298 pages. SECONDHAND

A wide ranging and often trenchant history of the sector that covers all the major issues of the last fifty years from the perspective of the secondary teachers union, the PPTA.

Steele Roberts Ltd., Wellington, 2003. Softback. 390 pages. SECONDHAND

The centennial history of the New Zealand province of St Josephs Generalate that sent the first sisters to the South Canterbury town of Temuka. From that beginning the order developed a presence throughout the country.

Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Auckland, 1983. Hardback with dust jacket. 356 pages. SECONDHAND

The complete illustrated story of the well known New Zealand homewears retailer. Founded in in England in 1781, Briscoes began trading in Dunedin in 1862, and is now nationwide.

Hunter Publishing Ltd., Auckland, 2012. Hardback with dust jacket. 303 pages. SECONDHAND