Wiremu Pere:
Why do I write on Maori literature?
I first became interested in New Zealand literature in the mid-1980s. I came in contact with some of Frank Sargeson’s stories during the Commonwealth Literature course I attended at the University of Torino, as part of the requirements for my bachelor’s degree in English literature, and I decided to write my bachelor’s thesis on him in 1986. When I went back to university in 2004 for my PhD I wanted to explore New Zealand culture and literature further.
I was soon attracted by the writing of Maori authors, in particular Patricia Grace and Witi Ihimaera, which seemed to be the big thing that had occurred in the previous 20 years in the New Zealand literary arena. I liked their spiritual approach to reality and their sense of humour, and I perceived the novelty of their English, which sounds extremely poetic to a foreign ear. I also recognised several affinities between Maori and Italian culture, which made me feel ‘at home’ when I read their stories. First of all, Maori have a notion of family that is similar to ours. Close bonds within extended families are still the basis of our society, which functions on alliances and personal contacts rather than on relying on an abstract sense of the state (this is the reason why Italians tend to apply the law in a ‘flexible’ way, creating many particular codes). Moreover, the affective and even sensual value that Maori give to food is something that characterises Italian culture too, as is their vocal way of expressing emotions, their love of singing, their openness and flexibility, and their search for communality even to the detriment of privacy.
I was not surprised when I read Grace’s novel Tu and found out that the soldiers of the Maori Battalion got along pretty well with local people during the Italian Campaign in World War II. And I think that Ihimaera’s use of Italian melodrama in The Matriarch evokes a physicality of emotions that Maori and Italians share and appreciate.
This fascination has driven me to write From Silence to Voice.
From Silence to Voice is already in its second print run in New Zealand through our distributors Publishers Distribution Limited (09 828 2999 or orders@pubdist.co.nz) or from Lightning Source (www.lightningsource.com) in the UK.
A great occasion in Gisborne on Friday 19 November, with the launch Libro International's newest book, Wiremu Pere: The Life and Times of a Maori Leader, 1837–1915. It was an honour to be there with the descendants of Wi Pere to celebrate their tupuna at the beautiful Rongopai marae.
Among the distinguished guests and speakers present was the Hon Tariana Turia, co-leader of the Maori Party, who opened her speech describing Wi Pere as “a remarkable man, a man of mana, a man well before his time.”
You can read her full speech by clicking here.
A most memorable oration was given by Rose Pere, speaking for herself and her husband, the author Joe Pere. Among other speakers were Lewis Moeau, Maori Advisor to the Prime Minister, Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon, Wi Pere Trust Chairman Alan Haronga, and Wi Pere Trustee Kingi Smiler.
RRP $90.00
Jacketed hardback, 240 x 180 mm, 440 pp, includes foldout deed and maps
Libro International is proud to publish Wiremu Pere: The Life and Times of a Maori Leader, 1837–1915, the first biography of the seminal politician Wi Pere - a man caught between two worlds, struggling to preserve the Maori way of life and advance his tribes on the North Island's East Coast as colonisation gained pace.
Wiremu Pere
The Life and Times of a Maori Leader,
1837–1915
by Joseph Anaru Te Kani Pere & others
A rangatira in times of change …
Wi Pere lived through some of the most turbulent chapters in New Zealand history. As a leader of his Rongowhakaata and Te Aitanga a Mahaki tribes, he stood resolute during the tidal wave of change that threatened the Maori way of life, and went on in 1884 to become one of the first Maori leaders in Parliament.
This handsomely produced book describes Wi Pere’s eventful life and those who influenced him. Other parts trace his whakapapa back to ancient rangatira lines, and profile the Wi Pere Trust, one of his legacies that continues to prosper and grow today.
Wiremu Pere will appeal to all those who are students of Maori and political history as well as readers interested in the colourful life of this extraordinary leader.
The Author:
Joseph Anaru Te Kani Pere, a great-grandson of Wi Pere, took over the writing of the book from earlier family members. A former teacher, he has a doctorate in English from the University of Waikato. After extensive research and writing, he has brought the work to completion with the support of the Wi Pere Trust.
Release Date: 19 November 2010 | RRP $90.00
Jacketed hardback, 240 x 180 mm, 440 pp, includes foldout deed and maps
For a review copy, please contact:
Peter Dowling, 027 614 8993, 09 814 8993, peter@oratiamedia.com
Libro International | ISBN: 978-1-877514-09-8 www.oratiamedia.com
Featured Member: Peter Dowling Oratia MediaAddressing industry peers from around the world was a highlight of the 2010 Frankfurt Book Fair for independent publisher Oratia Media. The Waitakere-based company’s Managing Director Peter Dowling took the stage in an Australasian panel discussion that helped profile New Zealand books to the global flock at this year’s essential book event. But there were other milestones, including breaking through to get invited to the Italian Publishers Association cocktail. “We’ve been working all year to get on the radar of Italian publishers so the networking at Frankfurt was unbelievably valuable – even if the New Zealand stand put on a much better party!” Connecting New Zealand with the world is a key part of the vision for Libro International, the books imprint launched in 2009.
There’s a subdued buzz in the air at Hall 8 as I write this – subdued because it’s lunchtime and those who aren’t eating are catching breath. The fair kicked off yesterday morning and for Oratia Media and our colleagues on the New Zealand collective stand it was a busy start to the five-day event, which is the world’s largest marketplace for books, media, rights and licences.
Entering the Frankfurt Book Fair
This year marks our first appearance at the fair, exhibiting our books and talking to other publishers about distribution, rights and services internationally. This year we’re pushing the authors already published in our Libro International list, along with a number of new concepts for books that we’re pitching to likely partners. Also on our stand are titles from our Rock Your Life list, and our friends at Huia Publishers and Willson Scott Publishers.
Our corner of the New Zealand stand
Today it was my turn to take the microphone, as I joined Australian colleagues Patricia Genat of ALS, Rod Martin of Era Publications, and mediator Tim Coronel of Bookseller and Publisher magazine at a well-patronised seminar: ‘Australia/New Zealand Publishing Market Overview’. Common preoccupations with slow local markets, changing export destinations and digitisation united out two markets, which also remain distinguished by the difficulty of distributing across the Tasman.
Notice for today’s seminar session
A busy schedule of meetings continues over the next three days. Tomorrow night the New Zealand stand will host drinks, at which Creative New Zealand and the Publishers Association of NZ will launch its programme of support for translation of New Zealand writing
Better go – there’s a bunch of people browsing the stand.
Peter Dowling
We are very sad to share the news that Graeme Hunt, an outstanding author with whom we had a close working relationship, died suddenly at his home in Auckland on Wednesday. Graeme, who had just turned 58, had recently undergone minor heart surgery but had subsequently been feeling healthy and positive.
Graeme was an outstanding historian and journalist, a writer with rare insight into business, a publisher in his own right, a tireless supporter of New Zealand books, a generous soul and a friend to many.
He published his first books under his own imprint, Waddington Press, before I commissioned his best-selling The Rich List: Wealth and Enterprise in New Zealand, published by Reed in 2000. Subsequently he published four other works with us at Reed and one with Penguin.
Last year Waddington and Oratia Media jointly published First to Care, the 125-year history of St John in New Zealand, which received excellent reviews and has sold strongly. At the time of his death we were working on first proofs of a major agricultural history he edited, and planning further projects. He was prolific and meticulous as a writer, producing 15 books in all, while being active as a reviewer and mentor to other writers.
Graeme was always politically engaged, and was standing as an independent in the October local body elections in the Albany ward. But he never let his own views cloud his respect for healthy, democratic debate.
Our sympathies go to his wife Saluma, his first wife Jennifer, his children Robert and Ellen, and his family members.
I will be promoting Graeme’s work at the Frankfurt Book Fair in ten days’ time, and Libro International will follow up on the commitment I’d earlier made to Graeme to keep as much as possible of his work in print.
Peter Dowling
This 32-page book is concisely written by Paul Tapsell, professor of Māori studies at the University of Otago, with Dr Merata Kawharu, director of the James Henare Māori Research Centre of the University of Auckland, and features beautiful photos by Krzysztof Pfeiffer, photographer at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and author of over 20 books.
After a general introduction to Māori history, Te Ara focuses on the stories of iwi in five regions – Hokianga, Peowhairangi (Bay of Islands) Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Waiariki (Rotorua-Taupo) and Murihiku (Otago-Southland).
Te Ara accompanies an exhibition that will open in Olsztyn, Poland, on 22 September, before touring in Poland and then elsewhere to Europe. The present edition contains text in three languages – Māori, English and Polish – definitely a first!
Te Ara: Māori Pathways of Leadership - ISBN 978-1-877514-12-8 - retails at $19.99
PRESS RELEASE
Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill, AUCKLAND 29 July 2010
Awakening young readers to the wonders that surround them is the kaupapa (mission) of Sharing Our Stories, a group of committed young leaders who today release their first book in English and Te Reo editions.
The Castle in our Backyard (in English) and Te Pā Kaha kei tō tatōu Iāri (in Māori) is the first book by group member Malcolm Paterson, and is illustrated by young Karekare artist Leah Mulgrew.
Released to mark Māori Language Week/Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, the book invites young readers to enter the history of Auckland’s One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie alongside two modern-day characters.
Tui and his cousin Jennifer are too busy playing a video game to want to visit Maungakiekie – until their Nanny Marei tells them the mountain’s got giants and fortresses, just like their game.
Sharing Our Stories grew as a team project under a leadership programme of the Committee for Auckland.
“We hope that by becoming more aware of our rich history, New Zealanders will enhance their pride in our unique heritage,” said Malcolm Paterson.
The books, from Waitakere City publisher Libro International, are available at good bookstores and online.
On sale from 29 July, the books will be launched at One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie that evening.
Review copies are available NOW
