Wednesday, March 20, 2019

New book, old book – celebrating Rotorua and A.W. Reed

A new facsimile edition of the A.W. Reed and Dennis Turner classic Legends of Rotorua and the Hot Lakes hits the bookshelves today.



Several generations of readers have learned of key elements of Māori history from the pen of the late Alexander Wyclif Reed. His list of published works in this area is long and deep and his popularity has rarely waned.

In Legends of Rotorua and the Hot Lakes, first published in 1958, Reed collected many of  the classic myths from that cradle of Māori culture, Rotorua – with relevance across New Zealand.

Legends of Rotorua and the Hot Lakes brings together the timeless accounts of great ancestors such as Ngatoro-i-rangi and Ihenga with beloved stories like those of Hinemoa and Tutanekai, or Hatupatu and the Birdwoman. 

It presents many legends and historical events in relation to localities, lakes and volcanoes around the Rotorua region — the township, Lake Rotorua, Mokoia, Ngongotaha, Tarawera and beyond — and includes a chapter on place names. 

This facsimile edition reproduces the original edition, speaking to the era of the book’s original publication, with A.W. Reed’s graceful text matched by the beautiful and detailed illustrations of Dennis Turner.


A.W. Reed (1908–1979) was one of New Zealand’s most influential writers and publishers. He helped build A.H. & A.W. Reed into the country’s leading publisher by the mid-twentieth century, and authored more than 200 books. His works on Māori mythology have served New Zealanders for several generations.

Publication: 20 March 2019  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-57-5 |  RRP $29.99
Paperback, 210 x 148 mm, 164 pages b&w


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