Kiwiana Reads

From Muldoon to Luxon, untold stories from the House of Parliament Barry Soper has spent close to five decades questioning New Zealand's prime ministers.From the imposing, larger-than-life characters of Rob Muldoon and David Lange, to the golden age of Helen Clark and John Key, and the post-Covid era of Jacinda Ardern and the 'Chrises', Soper's insight and nose for a...

The definitive autobiography of one of cricket's greatest batsmen of his generation, and New Zealand's all-time leading run scorer. A generational batsman and captain, Kane Williamson sits in the pantheon of cricketing greats and in this autobiography he talks openly about events that influenced and shaped the way he approached not just cricket, but life.The former #1 ranked test batter...

Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.This is more than a rock story. Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...

Master your winning mindset with lessons from the life and career of coaching legend Gilbert Enoka. In a career spanning almost three decades, visionary psychological coach Gilbert Enoka changed the way the All Blacks played their game. With a 77% winning record in test match rugby, the highest of any professional sports team, they are the only international team to...

Lucky You're Tough chronicles the early life of helicopter pilot and NZSAS soldier Mark Law, from growing up in the rural wilds of Whangamōmona through to surviving a series of life-threatening events that would shape his life and career. After a career as a badged soldier in the NZSAS that led to an intriguing stint with the British SAS and...

There's no one as dangerous as someone who believes they have nothing to lose. Eight years ago, Nix Adams started posting videos on Facebook while she was freshly out of jail, in order to show her kids that she was sober and on the path back to them. It was after her youngest child, Alaska, died suddenly of a virus...

New Zealand's courtrooms have seen few figures as formidable—or as enduring—as Stuart Grieve KC. Over five decades of criminal law and trial advocacy, Stuart has had a front-row seat for the cases that have gripped the nation: the notorious Peter Plumley-Walker murder trials, the Springbok Tour clowns case, the Gisborne Cervical Cancer Inquiry, and the Erebus Royal Commission among them....

Surviving White Island - Surviving the unsurvivable. Healing from the unhealable. This is an inspiring memoir of physical and mental recovery, from someone who lived through the Whakaari White Island volcanic eruption. "I heard someone say, 'Wow!' And someone else exclaimed, 'Look at that!' I had my back to the crater. I turned around. The moment I saw it, I...

Hone shows us how to harness the (thankfully common) power of our own resilience to work our way through a horrible loss. The New York Times A recommended new book for those who are grieving... [Hone's] metaphor for life after loss is both powerful and apt: Think of it as a scattered jigsaw puzzle, where the pieces of one's former...

'We were told that the leaders were given the power to bind or to lose us from heaven. If I died suddenly, which I always believed was a high possibility, and I didn't meet Hopeful's definition of a good woman of God, I would go to hell.' To survive in Gloriavale, you must submit. And for the first 27 years...

The Farm is a lyrical and entertaining journey to the heart of rural life in New Zealand from one of our greatest living writers. When Bruce Ansley visited a friend on a sheep farm on Banks Peninsula, they pointed out a property for sale, down by the water. Down a drive curving through sycamores, oaks, and rhododendrons, there was a...

Alone in the wilderness Northbound: Four Seasons of Solitude on Te Araroa is an inspiring memoir by award-winning journalist Naomi Arnold. She spends nearly nine months walking the length of New Zealand on Te Araroa, fulfilling a 20-year dream. On her own, she traverses mountains, rivers, cities, and plains from summer to spring, enduring days of thick mud, blazing sun,...

What if we could redefine leadership? What if kindness came first? Jacinda Ardern grew up the daughter of a police officer in small-town New Zealand, but as the 40th Prime Minister of her country, she commanded global respect for her empathetic leadership that put people first. This is the remarkable story of how a Mormon girl plagued by self-doubt made...

From the front bench to rock bottom: Go Hard or Go Home is Kiri Allan's fearless memoir of ambition, disruption and survival in NZ politics and beyond. Kiri Allan's six-year political career spanned some of the most challenging times in recent history. Events a government might encounter once in a generation stacked up: a terrorist attack, a volcanic eruption, destructive and deadly...

A Place to Stand by Clare Ward is a profound memoir that delves into the life of a country doctor living and working in the Hokianga Harbour area in the far north of Aotearoa New Zealand. This region is sparsely populated and poses numerous health challenges. This thoughtful account details Clare’s thirty-year career, highlighting the people she works with and...

The Chief and the Empire uncovers the extraordinary true tale of Te Tai Tokerau rangatira Te Pahi - the first influential Māori leader to cross the Tasman - whose curiosity about the Pākehā world forged alliances, saved lives, and ultimately cost him his own. On a visit to Sydney in 1805, Te Pahi was feted as a celebrity, building close...

An extraordinary story. Shaun Bythell, The Diary of a Bookseller Ruth Shaw weaves together stories of the characters who visit her bookshops, musings about favourite books, and bittersweet stories from her full and varied life. She's sailed through the Pacific for years, been held up by pirates, worked at Sydney's Kings Cross with drug addicts and prostitutes, campaigned on numerous...

Bestselling author Nigel Latta's simple psychological toolkit for life's ups and downs. Over thirty years working as a clinical psychologist, Nigel Latta assembled a personal toolkit based on three simple principles. These principles helped him to be more resilient, joyful, and attuned to what matters most. The same principles have helped him through some difficult times as well, such as...

In 1988, Silvia Cartwright published what would become a landmark report, the Cervical Cancer Inquiry, into medical malpractice against cervical cancer patients. While many praised the investigation, some in the medical fraternity dismissed it as a feminist witch-hunt and rallied behind the professor whose research was denounced. The controversy spilled beyond lecture theatres and hospital corridors. One day, a social...

The Bookseller at the End of the World described the first part of Ruth Shaw's tumultuous life, touching readers in powerful ways. It became an international bestseller, translated into eleven languages. Three Wee Bookshops at the End of the World picks up Ruth's story with more charming, heartbreaking, brave and funny tales. Having found the love of her life, Lance,...

Born into love but then thrust into violence, and shaped by struggle, Timoti Te Moke was never destined to be a leader. After an early start as a bright boy in the eastern Bay of Plenty, nurtured by his reo Māori-speaking grandparents, Timoti's life changed sharply when his mother took custody of him when he was six. He survived abuse,...

Novelist, memoirist and playwright Witi Ihimaera – author of Pounamu, Pounamu and The Whale Rider – decided, at the age of eighty, to dive back into the water and spend a year full-time at Te Wānanga Takiura, immersing himself in his own language, in te reo Māori. This book tells the story of this kaikaukau, this swimmer, and his year...

Woman in the Wilderness is an intriguing and mesmerizing book. - Ben Fogle This book tells how one woman learned to dig deep and push the boundaries in order to discover what really matters in life. Miriam is a young Dutch woman living in the heart of the mountains with her New Zealand husband. She lives simply in a tent...

This is the gripping, often surprising story of one of New Zealand's toughest and most resilient fighters. Shane Cameron rose from humble beginnings to become a dominant force in the Australasian heavyweight division. Known for his explosive power and fearless fighting style, Cameron captured multiple national titles and fought 'The Fight of the Century' against David Tua in the biggest...

The amazing Gavin Bishop brings us a monster-sized book about the mythical monsters of Aotearoa! Award-winning weaver of stories Gavin Bishop retells a variety of tales about the taniwha of Aotearoa, from the guardians who accompanied waka voyages to present-day inhabitants of the whenua and moana. Taniwha are all around us. They are good at hiding or changing their shape....

Whether you want to fish for sprats from a wharf, walk up a stream with a fly rod, or cast a line from a boat or kayak, there's a heap of handy information in here. Learn how to tie knots, bait hooks, cast lures, and fillet and cook your catch. Al Brown has a life-long love of fishing and Hooked...

The Gavin Bishop Treasury is a very special hardback collection of 10 classic children's stories for young readers to treasure, written and illustrated by the multiple-award-winning New Zealand author Gavin Bishop. Comprising over two hundred pages of fabulous storytelling and stunning artwork, children will be spellbound by this beautiful hardback gift treasury featuring ten favourite fairy tales and original stories...

There’s a big surf competition coming up. Eight-year-old Lisa is determined to take part, but she’s nervous. With encouragement from her coach, family and top paddler Māia, she trains hard. But disaster strikes when her canoe capsizes, shaking her confidence. Lisa goes to the river to compose herself and, with the help of her family and dog Colin, she draws...

A young whale searches for the whale rider's heir and a teenager takes an epic voyage to Antarctica with a fleet of waka hourua to claim his lost inheritance, in this breathtaking return to the world of global hit The Whale Rider, over thirty years on. From the internationally acclaimed author of The Whale Rider comes a novel about the...

Dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul, meals magically appear based on your mood and dreams literally come to life... Nevermoor meets Pokemon in New Zealand author Graci Kim's thrilling new middle-grade fantasy series! Dare to enter a world of secrets and spells, where your wildest dreams—or your darkest nightmares—come to life before your eyes... Fourteen-year-old Aria Loveridge lives...

What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...

Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...

Over 1 million copies sold worldwide. A guaranteed-to-please book for toddlers that's best shared loudly! The wolf goes aaooooo. The owl goes hoo hoo. The monkey goes oo oo oo. The cuckoo goes cuckoo. The power outlet says NO! With over 100 pages, and impossible to read badly, this unique and sturdy board book is full of bright, bold illustrations...

A highly illustrated, playful field guide for budding natural scientists and curious observers of the world right under our noses. Observology is the study of looking. An observologist makes scientific expeditions, albeit very small ones, every day. They notice interesting details in the world around them. They are expert at finding tiny creatures, plants, and fungi. They know that water...

From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....

A fascinating look at Matariki in New Zealand and around the world. The Matariki constellation (or Pleiades) is known by many different names and is seen and celebrated by many cultures around the world. This beautifully illustrated book features 18 stories: 9 of which highlight the Māori Matariki stars, while the others reference the stories about this constellation from different...

Margaret Mahy's bestselling classic, The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate, is reimagined with delightfully whimsical illustrations from Emma Collicott, the winner of the 2025 Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize. Sam lives an ordinary life in a big city far away from the ocean with his mum. He wears an ordinary brown suit every day to his ordinary job in an...

Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...

Join Donovan Bixley as he digs up the amazing creatures that called Aotearoa home long ago. Monstrous flyers, sharp-toothed divers, heavyweight parrots, armoured dinosaurs and New Zealand's living fossil! Delve into the fossils, geek out over bones, and be charmed by this series that uncovers astounding facts about Aotearoa. From award-winning author and illustrator Donovan Bixley.

An attractive kete gift bag of three stories to celebrate Matariki and explore the wonders and traditions of Māori New Year. Flit the Fantail & the Matariki Map: Join Flit and his friends, Keri the kiwi and wise old Ruru, as they explore the night skies to work out how to capture a sparkling star. The Seven Kites of Matariki:...

If you loved Donovan Bixley's bestselling LOOKY BOOK, you will adore The Christmas Looky Book - a hilarious 24-page festive puzzle book with hours of quality fun for readers aged five and up. Spot the difference: Santa has been and changed around the Christmas decorations; match the New Zealanders to their presents; how many reindeer can you find in the...

A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree is a delightful adaptation of the classic "Twelve Days of Christmas" song, but with a uniquely Kiwi twist. In this cherished tale, a young couple celebrates the festive season by sharing a series of quintessentially New Zealand gifts, beginning with a pukeko in a ponga (tree fern) tree. As the days of Christmas unfold,...

Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. “[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...

Like many 13-year-old girls, Sofia's main worries are how to get some groovy go-go boots, and how not to die of embarrassment giving a speech at school! But when her older brother Lenny starts talking about marches and protests and overstayers, and how Pacific Islanders are being bullied by the police for their passports and papers, a shadow is cast...

There’s festive chaos at Granny’s place – and Nee Naw's Cracker Christmas is right in the middle of it! The cheeky goats have nabbed a Christmas cracker, and before long the tree has toppled, decorations are flying, and Ploppy the Cow is stuck in the loo! Nee Naw wastes no time – he calls on his trusty friends Dusty, Toot,...

'Twas the night before Christmas and all round the bach, not a possum was stirring; not one could we catch. Take one Santa dressed in singlet and shorts, and put him on a miniature tractor pulled by eight flying sheep, and you have a Kiwi version of the well-loved Clement C. Moore poem. Children will delight in Yvonne Morrison's humorous...

Fast-knitting Granny McFlitter is craftier than ever in this award-winning Christmas story by Heather Haylock and Lael Chisholm. Granny McFlitter: The Knit Before Christmas finds Granny McFlitter back to save Christmas at the zoo, one lightning-quick stitch at a time! 'Twas the night before Christmas and down at the zoo, the keepers were ready; the animals, too... All of a...

Edmonds My First Cookbook by Goodman Fielder is the quintessential starter guide for young cooks, bursting with delightful, easy-to-follow recipes that span all meals of the day. With this book, young chefs will embark on a culinary journey that nurtures a lifelong passion for cooking and baking. Featuring the iconic illustrated step-by-step layout reminiscent of the beloved EDMONDS JUNIOR COOKBOOK,...

From the best-selling author of Aroha, Wawata, Waitohu, and E Moko Dear Moko, comes a unique exploration of how to think about thinking, rooted in the wisdom of Māori culture. Dr Hinemoa Elder introduces us to a profound journey guided by Hinengaro, the Māori goddess of the mind, leading us through 23 specific rua, caves, into the unfamiliar depths of...

Maori Made Easy Workbook 1/Kete 1 by Scotty Morrison is the ultimate companion for anyone eager to learn the beautiful and complex Maori language. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to brush up on your skills, this workbook offers a structured and engaging way to immerse yourself in te reo Maori. Designed to be accessible regardless of your starting...

Well-known journalist and presenter Mike McRoberts opens up about his experiences of reconnection to te ao Māori and learning te reo, and encourages others to do the same. For much of his life, Mike McRoberts felt burdened by not knowing his own language - te reo Māori. Growing up at a time when te reo was scarcely spoken in daily...

From the bestselling author of The Bone Tree comes a lively and playful bilingual collection of stories about growing up in Patea. Interlinked and full of recurring characters, these stories are about growing up in small-town Aotearoa—sneaking away during cross country, doing bombs while the lifeguard isn't looking, peeling spuds on the marae, crashing a car at age four, and...

Immerse your family in the beautiful and rich culture of New Zealand with My First Words in Maori by revered broadcaster and Maori language champion Stacey Morrison. This enchanting book serves as a wonderful introduction to the Maori language for both children and parents alike. Gorgeously illustrated by Ali Teo and John O'Reilly, the book features vibrant and lively pictures...

Matariki by Melanie Drewery invites readers into the heartwarming story of a family as they come together to celebrate the Māori New Year. Set against the backdrop of the rich cultural heritage of New Zealand, this enchanting tale captures the essence of what Matariki signifies. Without giving away any spoilers, the narrative beautifully unfolds to reveal how each family member...

From the author and illustrator of the popular children's picture book The Gruffalo, Kei Hea Taku Mama? (originally titled Monkey Puzzle) is now translated into te reo Māori. Featuring the same stunning illustrations as the original book, the te reo Māori translation retains the unique humour of the original story as butterfly eagerly tries to help little monkey find his...

Kia ora! Welcome - this pukapuka is especially for you! Inside you'll find lots of activities and ideas to help you learn all about the different sides of yourself - and how they make you happy - from your whānau, to moving your body, to caring for others and the environment. There's also room for you to write your thoughts...

Because I'm Māori He Māori Ahau is a delightful pukapuka for young tamariki that inspires cultural pride. He pukapuka rawe mo nga tamariki nohinohi e whakakipakipa nei i te whakahi ahurea.

Māori child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Hinemoa Elder has shaped her beloved book Aroha into this special collection of whakataukī and whakatauakī for mokopuna of all ages. Bestselling author of Aroha and respected Māori psychiatrist Dr Hinemoa Elder has written a special collection of whakataukī for tamariki mokopuna. Puanga kai rau. Puanga, the star signalling a time of the year...

Kia ū ki te pai, kia whai hua ai. Hold on to what is good and good things will follow. An inspirational, bilingual gratitude journal, based on the Māori holistic approach to health, hauora. Discover the four dimensions of hauora: taha tinana (physical), taha hinengaro (mental), taha wairua (spiritual) and taha whānau (family). No matter how difficult life can seem,...

Aroha by Dr Hinemoa Elder is an enlightening exploration of timeless Maori wisdom, intricately woven into a contemporary context. This top-selling non-fiction title from New Zealand in 2021 introduces readers to 52 traditional Maori proverbs, known as whakataukī, each offering a profound lesson for every week of the year. Dr Elder, a respected Maori psychiatrist, delves into these powerful sayings...

From the best-selling author of Aroha and Wawata comes a new and inspiring journal to help you make deeper connections using the energies of Hina, the Māori moon goddess, and the power of aroha. Kia ora! Welcome to Waitohu – a journal where the Māori lunar calendar invites us to write about our lives in a new way. This writing...

Immerse yourself in the richness of the Māori language with Maori Made Easy Workbook 2/Kete 2 by renowned TV personality and passionate te reo Māori advocate, Scotty Morrison. This comprehensive workbook is designed to cater to learners of all levels, making the beautiful language of the Māori people accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Building on the successful approach of the...

An attractive kete gift bag of three stories to celebrate Matariki and explore the wonders and traditions of Māori New Year. Flit the Fantail & the Matariki Map: Join Flit and his friends, Keri the kiwi and wise old Ruru, as they explore the night skies to work out how to capture a sparkling star. The Seven Kites of Matariki:...

A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree is a delightful adaptation of the classic "Twelve Days of Christmas" song, but with a uniquely Kiwi twist. In this cherished tale, a young couple celebrates the festive season by sharing a series of quintessentially New Zealand gifts, beginning with a pukeko in a ponga (tree fern) tree. As the days of Christmas unfold,...

For those aspiring to learn the Maori language, Maori Made Easy Workbook 3/Kete 3 by Scotty Morrison provides an engaging and accessible guide that caters to all levels of knowledge. The book facilitates a practical approach to language learning, equipping readers with the tools needed to master te reo Maori. Fun, user-friendly, and relevant to modern readers, Scotty Morrison's Maori...

Atua by Gavin Bishop is a visually stunning and meticulously researched compendium that introduces readers to the rich mythological tapestry of the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). This breathtaking, large-scale illustrated book is a treasure trove for children and adults alike, immersing them in the enthralling world of Māori gods, demigods, and heroes. Beginning with the void of Te...

Twelve-year-old Niko lives in Pohe Bay, a small, rural town with a sacred hot spring and a taniwha named Taukere. The government wants to build a prison over the home of the taniwha, and Niko's grandfather is busy protesting. People call him porangi, crazy, but when he dies, it's up to Niko to convince his community that the taniwha is...

Maori Made Easy Workbook 4/Kete 4 by Scotty Morrison is an engaging and accessible guide for anyone looking to learn or improve their Maori language skills. Suitable for all levels of knowledge, this workbook brings the language to life with a structured, comprehensive, and user-friendly approach. Renowned for making the Maori language approachable and enjoyable, this workbook continues the legacy...

Maui and Other Maori Legends by Peter Gossage is a treasured collection that brings together some of the most beloved tales from Maori mythology. With vibrant illustrations and enthralling storytelling, this volume captures the essence of New Zealand's rich cultural heritage. Each story within this collection is an adventure into a world where the extraordinary becomes possible, where heroes rise,...

Kuwi & Friends Maori Picture Dictionary is a fun, easy-to-use resource for anyone wanting to discover, learn, and use everyday words in te reo Māori. The illustrations aid comprehension, particularly for younger learners, by providing visual cues that assist with language retention and recalling spoken and written words. This book features 68 fully illustrated pages in a large format (265...

In mid-winter, Matariki rises in the pre-dawn sky, and its observation is celebrated with incantations on hilltops at dawn, balls, exhibitions, dinners, and a vast number of events. The Matariki tradition has been re-established, and its regeneration coincides with a growing interest in Māori astronomy. Still, there remain some unanswered questions about how Matariki was traditionally observed. These include: What...

A Maori Word a Day by Hemi Kelly is an incredibly accessible and engaging resource designed to introduce and immerse New Zealanders of all ages into the beauty of the Maori language. This book acts as a unique and practical Maori dictionary that simplifies the learning process by presenting 365 carefully selected Maori words, each to be explored and learned...