New Zealand Books

New Zealand is going through something of a renaissance of tourism following the Lord of the Rings films and the programmes of Billy Connolly. Of course, New Zealand is perfectly located on that part of the earth's surface to give it tropical, sub-tropical and non-tropical locations. That, in itself, makes the country extremely interesting in terms of flora and fauna - both above and below the surface of the sea.

I like the fact that the Contents page is headed "Map of New Zealand - page 6." What better place to start. The remainder of that page reads; The Farthest Paradise, the Land, Outlying Islands, the People, History, Relics of History and, finally, the Political and Economic Systems. And they are all there, Described in an easy-to-read and flowing style which makes you want to call your travel operator and head for this wonderful country.

Well supported throughout with a carefully chosen and relevant selection of photographs from yesterday and today, this is a book which will explain New Zealand - as it should be explained, to anyone who wants to know.

NM

A wonderful book for anyone travelling in NZ and wanting a range of prices for their accommodation. Most stays have a map on how the find the B&B and lots of photos. Easy to use keys to the different types of lodging available.

In the publicity, the documentaries about the Royal Air Force, it is often overlooked that the British RAF really was composed of people from the British Empire. Australians, South Africans, New Zeelanders, Canadians and more fought along the airmen who were actually from England itself. Only lately have the contributions of these other forces to the overall effort been written about. This is the story of the Australians, approximately 10,000 pilots plus many more aircrew and support people.

4,050 Australians killed in Bomber Command. In all of the North Africa fighting against Rommel, 3,552 were killed.

This book is well illustrated with pictures, most are of aircraft, of course. But the picture on page 73 is most striking to me. It shows the seven man crew of a 460 Squadron Lancaster. Seven young men in the prime of life with a whole lifetime ahead of them. The caption says that Pilot Officer Thomas Lynch, standing at the rear of the crew was badly wounded and the only survivor when the plane was shot down.

Dave McClunie loves the mountains, the animals that inhabit them and the freedom and challenge they represent.

In this book the hunting experiences of the "Clan McClunie" after wapiti in Fiordland chamois and thar in the Southern Alps are recounted. The successes and failures, the family hunts and the guided hunts with clients. Told with honesty and respect for the wildlife and the high country they inhabit.

How did I get to this age without having read -- or even heard of -- James Baxter? That he was a New Zealander dead now roughly 30 years does not seem a sufficient excuse. The poems -- and there are very many of them -- range from folksy, often amusing ballads to real soul-and mind-stoppers, poems that block the reader's ordinary paths of thought and perception. Mr. Baxter was an Anglican who converted to Roman Catholicism -- New Zealand's Anglican Prayer Book is rich with his prayers. He was also a social reformer who championed fair treatment of the poor and in particular, the status of Maori language and culture. Religion and themes of social justice color the poems. In fact, it is difficult to think of any poet since George Herbert who has written such intelligent and convincing religious poetry. Having said that, banish the idea of gooey, pious sestinas or leftist diatribes. These are highly original, personal poems, both in their imagery and use of language and in their flat-out honesty.

If you are a fan of Ngaio Marsh's novels you will love this collection of her short stories. A must read.

E nga karangaranga maha, tena koutou katoa. This is a good and useful phrase taken from the book, and which translates as "to the many affilitations, greetings".

The whole book is actually like this and is structured in such a way that a learner can adopt as much or as little of the language as they want. The real beauty is that this book indicates when and where is a good time to use particular phrases, that is, it helps you put your phrases in the right context.

The book is easy to use, smart, easily digested by a learner and/or a more confident speaker of the Maori language.

My advice - BUY IT!!!!

I picked this up first because it had an overview of the Tangata Whenua of New Zealand, the Maori which proved immensely good. An excellent precis of the history and culture of the Maori of this country. However this books strength is in the comparison of the 4 native cultures chosen, the Inuit of the north, the Semang of Asia and the HOpi of North America. Although Lisitzky does not spend time comparing the cultures, the structure of each chapter is similar and the comparisons can be made by the reader.

Each culture is given a section and each section divided up. The important elements of their history, daily life, sleeping, eating, roles, warfare, food gathering and spirituality are noted and in relation to their climate and geography.

I found each section revelatory. The history of the Inuit People was especially so for me. I had always imagined the hardship and coldness of it, but Lisitzky pointed out the way of life meant that in the coldest winter months they live as though in sauna's due to the structure of their houses (which are not by the way simply igloos, but rather stone houses).

As noted before, this is not new research, rather Lisitzky has ably gathered together a great deal of written material to compile these. The strength of these chapters is that they reflect the daily life the cultures and their ways, which is also given in context to the it being pre-colonial interference. The information is concise and very easily read. There are line drawings showing appropriate artefacts or tools.

Highly recommended reading, quick, interesting and richl source of information. Each chapter has a good bibliography of reference material used.

The collaboration of Patricia Crawford and Ian Crawford, Contested Country is a fact-filled, 303-page, highly recommended history of the area surrounding Northcliffe, a small Western Australia country town. Ably presented as a microcosm of Australian society and socio-environ-mental history, Contested Country expertly and informatively explores the ways in which different people have strived to shape the land to suit their own needs, with a close eye on divisions between Aboriginal and European attitudes.

Book Description: Wellington: AH & AW Reed, 1971, Large hardcover . Brown Cloth Gold Gilt Titles. The book is 14 and 1/2 inches long by 10 inches high. 88 pages including a glossary and an index. No inscriptions.

Sir Michael Fowler has here recorded "thirty-eight impressions in sepia tone of a range of old and new country houses, all with architectural merit and some with historical associations." There are many styles of building.