Maori

Describes the origins, physical type, technology, economy, warfare and art of the early Maori as interpreted from the archaeological record. Illustrated.

Penguin Books NZ, Auckland, 1987. Softback. 175 pages. SECONDHAND

Archeologist Trotter and artist McCulloch describe the Maori prehistoric rock art of New Zealand. Includes examples from North Otago, South Canterbury, Weka Pass, Benmore area, Kaingaroa, Chatham Islands dendroglyphs, Awamoko, Kaikoura, Taranaki, Raglan, Lake Okataina, Kaingaroa, Lake Taupo and Lake Tarawera.

A H and A W Reed, Wellington, 1971. Hardback. Illustrated. 87 Pages. SECONDHAND

The Ancient History of the Maori His Mythology and Religions by John White. This bilingual classic of New Zealand literature about the Maori is a faithfull facsimile Kiwi reprint of the original published by the Government printer in 1887 and long unobtainable.

Kiwi Facsimile Reprint. Hardback. Six volumes, 300+ pages each. NEW Reprint.

The Coming of the Maori by Te Rangi Hiroa Sir Peter Buck. Maori history from the discovery of New Zealand, includes Maori speech, food, houses, mats, weaving, clothing, tools, canoes, fishing, games, music, weapons, decoration, art, family, religion and warfare. 

Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd., Christchurch, 1952. Hardback with dust jacket.  551 pages. SECONDHAND

The Maori Past and Present by T.E. Donne. "An account of a highly attractive, intelligent people, their doubtful origin, their customs & ways of living, art, methods of warfare, hunting & other characteristics mental & physical."

First published in 1927. Kiwi Facsimile Reprint Edition. Hardback. 287 pages. NEW

One of the classic 19C works on Maori life and culture by one of the leading NZ scholars of his day. Cowan covers origins, tapu, maketu, poetry, whakatauki, moko, cultivation of kumara, the tangi etc.

Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd., Christchurch, 1930. Hardback, no dust jacket. 266 pages. SECONDHAND

The Wharekura and the Gods of Hawaiki, Legends of Hawaiki, Canoes of the Migration, Legends of Aotearoa. Illustrations from photographs by Arthur Isles of Rotorua. General wear.

Government Printer, Wellington, 1904. Hardback. 451 pages. SECONDHAND

Maori Life in Ao-Tea by Johannes C. Andersen. A comprehensive survey of Maori history, foods, fowling, tattoing, waeving, mythology, building, warfare and ceremonies. Illustrated, contains a genealogy of Maori gods.

Whitcombe & Tombs. Hardback, illustrated 675 pages. SECONDHAND.

The Maori by Eldson Best. Surveys Maori as seafarers, colonisers, tradional learning, whare wananga, cosmology, anthropogeny, myths, religion, magic, social customs, sickness, death, burial, arts, games, music, science, agriculture, architecture, fishing, woodcraft, textile arts, adornment. First published by the  Polynesian Society in 1924, reissued 1942.  Two volume set.

Hardbacks with dust-jackets (worn), illustrated. SECONDHAND

"Mythology, Traditional History, Folk-Lore, Poetry, Maori-Polynesian Historical Traditions and Stories of Old New Zealand." Illustrations by Stuart Peterson. FIRST EDITION. Fine condition.

Harry H. Tombs Ltd., Wellington, 1930. 2 Volumes. Hardback, no dust jackets as issued.  320 & 285 pages. SECONDHAND

An account of the discovery and settlement of Polynesia in ancient times by sailors so expert in navigation that Sir Peter Buck described them as vikings of the sunrise. The history, navigational knowledge and traditions associated with the first fleet to discover Tonga, the Cook Islands,  New Zealand, Easter Island, Samoa, Hawaii and the Marquesas. First American edition 1938 (2nd printing). Handwritten dedication by the author dated 1939. 

F.Stokes Co. Hardback with worn dust-jacket. Illustrated. 335 Pages. SECONDHAND.

Treasury of Maori Folklore by A.W. Reed. A comprehensive and authoratitve survey of Maori myths, legends, folklore and religious beliefs. 1974 reprint of 1963 first edition.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1974. Hardback with dust jacket. 491 pages. SECONDHAND 

Maori Religion and Mythology: being an account of the cosmogony, anthropogeny, religious beliefs and rites, magic and folk lore of the Maori folk of New Zealand , Section I. Bulletin No 10, Dominion Museum (N.Z.).  (Bagnall B743). Wellington, Government Printer, 1924.

Hardback, illustrated, 28 cm, 264 pages. SECONDHAND

This book provides an interesting social history of Maori through photography. An unrivalled means of documenting change and development during the nineteenth century. Illustrated throughout with unique New Zealand photographs.

Millwood Press, Wellington. Hardback with good dust-jacket. 121 pages. SECONDHAND 

The Maori Polynesian Comparative Dictionary by Edward Tregar. A Maori dictionary with Polynesian comparisons including Samoan, Tahitian, Hawaiian, Tongan, Rarotongan, Marquesan, Mangarevan, Paumotan and Moriori equivalents. (Bagnall T703). Includes days of the moon, genealogies, plus a geographical and dialect index. Wellington, Lyon and Blair, 1891. Some wear, splits to spine.

Lyon & Blair. Hardback. 675 pages. SECONDHAND.

Mau Moko The World of Maori Tattoo by Ngahuia Te Awekotuku. This well illustrated book is the closest there has ever been to a complete book on Maori tattoo or moko. It provides a history of the practice, explores some contemporary cultural and spiritual issues, and relates dozens of stories from wearers and artists.

Penguin, Auckland, 2007. Hardback. 240 pages. NEW.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Maori Myth and Legend. Margaret Orbell provides a detailed guide to Maori myths and legends, religious beliefs, folklore and history. More than 380 entries, arranged alphabetically, reveal the subtlety and complexity of the traditional Maori view of the world. Includes more than 240 illustrations and a comprehensive index.

Canterbury University Press. Softback. 274 pages. NEW. 

Maori Treasures of New Zealand  by Paul Tapsell. This book honours both the man who once carried the name Ko Tawa, Captain Gilbert Mair, and the many significant Maori ancestors, taonga, that entered his remarkable life. Mair's feats of oratory, with weapon and with pen remain a core foundation to New Zealand life and history.

Bateman Publishing. Softback. 192 pages. NEW. 

A brief account of Maori life as it was in pre-European days. A Lindauer portrait of Wiremu Tako Ngatata appears on the dust jacket. Third edition. 

Government Printer, Wellington, 1952. Hardback with dust jacket, illustrated, 22 cm, 296 pages. SECONDHAND

The author's last book on the subject that was his life's work. Comprehensive coverage includes meeting houses, war canoes, personal adornment, weapons, musical instruments and textiles. Folding plate to rear. Fine condition.

Collins NZ Ltd., Auckland, 1977. Hardback with dust jacket. 136 pages. SECONDHAND

The background to the Christian Mission in New Zealand, the cultural reasons why Maori chose to identify with the Israelites of ancient times and the religious aspects of the Maori movements in the colonial period.

Tauranga Moana Press, 1985. Softback. 189 pages. SECONDHAND

Takitumu by Tiki Hikawera Mitira (J. H. Mitchell). The migration of the Ngati Kahungunu people from Hawaiki to Aotearoa with a history of the New Zealand born ancestors. Includes genealogy tables. First published in 1943. This is a new facsimile edition, and for the first time there is a full index.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2011. Softback, side stapled. 400 pages with index. NEW. 

Maori String Figures by Johannes Anderson. A comprehensive record  of traditional Maori string figures, Maori string designs and Maori string tricks. Wellington, Vol 2 of the Memoirs of the Board of Maori Ethnological Research, 1927.

Hardback, decorated with Maori motif, illustrated, 173 pages. SECONDHAND 

Maori Music with it's Polynesian background. Memoirs of the Polynesian Society, Volume 10. A substantial work from one of the great early pakeha scholars of Maori culture.

Thomas Avery & Sons, New Plymouth, 1934. Hardback, no dust jacket. 483 pages. SECONDHAND

The history of Maori music based on research dating from the time of Cook's voyages. Also includes Maori dance and Polynesian instruments. Originally published as Vol 10 of the Memoirs of the Polynesian Society, 1934.

Catsonbury Press, Christchurch, 2002. Softcovers, illustrated, 483 pages. NEW

This book is in two parts. The first concerns traditional music and dance, instruments, styles and performance, contexts and teaching and learning. The second part concerns European influences, especially hymnody, and records the development of modern genres, concert parties, etc.

Auckland University Press, 1996. Hardback with dust jacket. 418 pages. AS NEW

An outstanding and thoroughgoing work by Maori scholar S.M. Mead that covers the full range of traditional clothing with full details of methods of construction, especially weaving of pre and post contact periods. Illustrated.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1969. Hardback with dust jacket. 238 pages. SECONDHAND

The Maori Mantle by Ling Roth together with a review by Sir Peter Buck, Te Rangihiroa. A reprint of Roth’s 1923 classic work on Maori textiles, weaving and clothing. Describes the cultivation, preparation and dying of fibres, creation of Maori cloaks, taniko, feather mantles, feather and skin garments, rain cloaks, capes, kilts, dog skin garments, karowais and colour worsted ornamentation. Originally published in 1923 by the Bankfield Museum, Halifax, England, this reprint was published by Ruth Bean, Carlton, Bedford in 1979.

Bankfield Museum, Halifax, U.K. Softcovers, illustrated, photographs, diagrams, 77 pages.  NEW

Records years of research. Famous and little-known houses are dealt with individually and interesting data of origins, designers, carvers is set down in detail. It is a carefully documented collection of illustrations and fragments of associated history and traditions gathered by the author as opportunity offered. Dominion Museum Monograph No. 9.

Dominion Museum, Wellington, 1955. Hardback with dust jacket. 290 pages. SECONDHAND

Origional work by noted scholar Elsdon Best who spent years in close contact with Maori of the Urewera. 

Dominion Museum Monograph, No. 1. Wellington, 1954. 42 pages. Softback. SECONDHAND

Original work by noted scholar Elsdon Best who spent years in close contact with Maori of the Urewera.

Dominion Museum Monograph, No. 2, Wellington, 1954. Softback. 57 pages. SECONDHAND

Original work by noted scholar Elsdon Best who spent years in close contact with Maori in the Urewera.

Dominion Museum Monograph, No. 3, Wellington, 1954. Softback. 80 pages. SECONDHAND

Original work by noted scholar Elsdon Best who spent years in close contact with Maori in the Urewera.

Dominion Museum Monograph, No. 4, Wellington, 1959. Softback. 51 pages. SECONDHAND

Monograph by noted scholar Elsdon Best who spent years in close contact with Maori in the Urewera.

Dominion Museum Monograph, No.5, Wellington, 1954. Softback. 67 pages. SECONDHAND

Monograph by noted scholar Elsdon Best who spent years in close contact with Maori in the Urewera.

Dominion Museum Monograph, No. 6, Wellington, 1959. Softback. 31 pages. SECONDHAND

Te Rauparaha A New Perspective by Patricia Burns. A very fine condition copy of what is still the best and most comprehensive biography of one of the most well known figures in New Zealand history.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1980. Hardback with dust jacket. 346pp. AS NEW.

Describes Te Rauparaha's life from the time of his birth being foretold, threough inter tribal conflict, migration, settlement on Kapati and into the period of colonisation.

Steele Roberts Ltd., Wellington, 2010. Softback, illustrated, 303 pages. NEW

Gorst tells from first-hand knowledge, the story of the King Movement and the background of events which led up to the Waikato War. An important document of New Zealand history. First published in 1864, this edition includes additional material.

Paul's Book Arcade, Hamilton, 1959. Hardback with dust jacket. 284 pages, folding map to rear. SECONDHAND

Wanderings with the Maori Prophets Te Whiti and Tohu by John F. Ward. "Being reminiscences of a twelve months' companionship with them, from their arrival in Christchurch in April 1882, untill their return to Parihaka in March, 1888."

First published in 1888. Kiwi Facsimile Reprint Edition. Hardcover. 136 pages. NEW

Ratana, The Man, The Church, The Political Movement by J. Henderson. Wellington, The Polynesian Society Inc, 1963. Polynesian Society Memoir Vol 36.

Hardback with marked dust-jacket, illustrated, 25 cm approx, 128 pages. SECONDHAND

Te Rangi Hiroa The Life of Sir Peter Buck by J.B. Condliffe. Buck trained as a doctor before becoming an anthropologist who specialised in Polynesian culture. Wellington, Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd, 1971.

Hardback with dust-jacket, illustrated, 25 cm, 314 pages. SECONDHAND

A history of the Maori of southern New Zealand caught up in the tide of European expansion and colonisation. Drawn from a wide variety of sources both Maori and European. 

Canterbury University Press, Christchurch, 1997. Paperback, illustrated. 399 pages. SECONDHAND

The Maori History and Place Names of Hawke’s Bay by J. Buchanan. Wellington, A.H. & A. W. Reed, 1973.

Hardback with marked dust-jacket, illustrated, 25 cm, some foxing, 215 pages. SECONDHAND

Na To Aroha From Your Dear Friend. The Correspondence between Sir Apirana Ngata and Sir Peter Buck 1925-50, Volume One. Ngata was a Member of Parliament and cabinet minister while Buck was a doctor who became an anthropologist and went on to become Director of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. Their letters provide insight into Maori and Pacific affairs and anthropology. Auckland, Auckland University Press in association with the Alexander Turnbull Library and the Maori Purposes Fund Board, 1986. 1st edition. Text fine, decorative endpapers and cover, slight foxing to fore-edges and bumped spine and corners.

Hardback, illustrated, 269 pages. SECONDHAND

Encircled Lands Te Urewera 1820-1921 by Judith Binney. Describes the history of the Tuhoe from the time of first European contact in the 19th century until 1921. 

Bridget Williams, Wellington, 2009. Hardback with dust-jacket, 670 pages. NEW

A biography of one of New Zealand's first international media celebrities. Initially known as the Whakarewarewa guide Maggie Papakura she pioneered the Maori concert party and toured in Australia and England. She then married into Oxfordshire landed gentry and became a student at Oxford University. A remarkable woman. Published 2007. FIRST EDITION.

Random House, Auckland. Softback. 216 pages. NEW.

This is the bilingual collection of the histories, genealogies, songs and chants of the Tainui people decended from the occupants of the Tainui canoe, who arrived at and settled the area around the Kaawhia Harbour about 1300AD. Published 1995. FIRST EDITION.

Auckalnd University Press. Hardback with dust jacket. 402 pages. SECONDHAND

This history of Te Arawa, who today occupy the Rotorua lakes district and part of the central Bay of Plenty coastline, is notable for its readable scholarship. The author has included genealogies, as well as chants and prayers (with translations where possible). Published 1967. FIRST EDITION.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington. Hardback with worn dust jacket. 573 pages. SECONDHAND

Ngai Tahu A Migration History. The Carrington Text edited by Te Maire Tau and Atholl Anderson. This magnificent narrative tells of Ngai Tahu's migration from the Wellington area into the South Island. Making their way by sea and land as far as Raikiura (Stewart Island) and Fiordland, the people settled, fought and intermarried-establishing their genealogical right to the land, as Te Huataki acknowledges in the words 'by way of my backbone.'

Bridget Williams Books. Illustrated. Hardback. 272 pages. NEW.

The elders of Waitaha share their ancient and sacred lore for the first time. Bound in secrecy for centuries, protected through the ages by those who gave their lives to keep it safe, this knowledge travels out of the past to be revealed in Song of Waitaha. First edition 1989.

Ngatapuwae Trust, Christchurch. Hardback with dust jacket. 311 pages. SECONDHAND.

The Jade of New Zealand Pounamu. Russel Beck and Mauka Mason explore Maori myths and history about pounamu, its use as adornment and taonga, geology, technical aspects, places where it is found, methods of working, culltural issues about its ownership and management and contemporary carving. Photographs by Andris Apse.

Penguin Viking. Hardcover with dust-jacket. Illustrated. NEW.

Folk-lore, fairy tales, traditions and place names of the scenic wonderland of the South Island. The text is divided into three parts, the lakes, the alps and the fiords.

Otago Daily Times, Dunedin, 1945. Hardback, no dust jacket as issued. 150 pages. SECONDHAND

Analyzes Maori protest movements from 1891-1909 and how Maori society adapted to the challenges by combining European political techniques and new economic enterprise with traditional leadership and social values. A ground breaking study.

Oxford University Press, 1969. Hardback with dust jacket. 204 pages. SECONDHAND

Historian Michael King documents the history of the Maori using rarely seen photographs from 1852 to the more common images of Waitangi Day protestors in 1982.  Comprehensive text and outstanding images make this a much sought after social history.

Heinemann. Softcovers. Illustrated. 287 Pages. SECONDHAND

Fresh perspectives on the missionary story, from the lead-up to Samuel Marsden's first sermon; the struggle for survival and understanding, to the dramatic events that unfolded around the Treaty of Waitangi and the disillusionment that led to the land wars.

Penguin NZ, Auckland, 2010. Softback. 367 pages. NEW