Last Gasp, US distributor for New Zealand Tattoo, share their passion for the book

Read their blog here

Horouta launch in Gisborne

The launch of the reprinted Horouta, Rongowhakaata Halbert's classic history of the East Coast descendants of the Horouta canoe, made for a memorable night on 13 December at the Mangatu Blocks conference hall. 

Tessa Duder at the Sir Peter Blake Regatta

Author Tessa Duder talks about The Story of Sir Peter Blake in coverage of the annual regatta held to honour the great sailor.

You can see the whole video here 

A special celebration

Peter, Isabell and Sascha (Isabell's partner) were delighted to travel to the northern Hokianga to tautoko Pā Henare Tate for a day of celebrations on 1 December - marking his Golden Jubilee (50 years) as a priest, the Silver Jubilee of the house Tamatea at Motuti marae, and the official launch of Pā's book He Puna Iti i te Ao Mārama.

The day started at Panguru with Pā officiating at the unveiling of a headstone for Himi Hauata, attended by family members from as far away as Canada and Australia.

Pa Tate welcoming family members to the first event of the day, the unveiling of the headstone              for Himi Hauata

Guests then travelled to Motuti for the first of two pōwhiri - welcoming visitors to the marae and, later, Pā with his fellow priests. 

The hau kainga at Motuti await the arrival of the manuhiri

The lunch marquee, where some 360 guests enjoyed the best of Northland fare

 After the pōwhiri and mass, a fine lunch was served in the wharekai and a specially erected marquee. Then it was time to launch He Puna Iti i te Ao Mārama officially. 

Pā had already ritually initiated the book (see blog of 26 November) but this was the official presentation to the people of Motuti. Pā blessed the book and outlined his aims in seeking to ground Christian theology in the Māori world view. Peter spoke of his pride in publishing such a significant work, and acknowledged the contributions and support received from many parties. 

Pā Tate blesses the book

Publisher Peter Dowling supporting the book's release

 A big queue formed to buy signed copies of He Puna Iti i te Ao Mārama, testament to the aroha and esteem felt for Pā. The sun was out, the fine students of Hato Petera college took to the marae atea to entertain, and a memorable day drew to a close.

Students from Hato Petera college entertain the many guests

Horouta out now

M E D I A    R E L E A S E

28 November 2012

HOROUTA

The History of the Horouta Canoe, Gisborne and East Coast

Rongowhakaata Halbert

A classic of tribal history back in print

Few works in New Zealand publishing rival the scope of Horouta, the definitive history of the descendants of those voyaging canoes that brought the first settlers from Polynesia to the lands that stretch from East Cape to northern Hawke’s Bay.

Horouta looks back over a thousand-year period to tell the origins of iwi including Ngati Porou, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu. Its three parts respectively present a narrative history, whakapapa, and maps of lands settled, in a fine, jacketed hardback.

Rongowhakaata Halbert (1894–1973) devoted his life to compiling Horouta, but died before it could be completed. Family members led by the late Te Nonoikura Haronga brought the work to publication in 1999; the present edition brings Horouta back into print.

This outstanding work of scholarship will be in bookstores from the end of November, and will have a formal launch at the Mangatu Block conference hall in Gisborne on 13 December.

Release Date: 30 November 2012  | ISBN: 978-1-877514-32-6 | RRP $120

496 pages

Vapi Kupenga speaks to Pā Henare Tate about He Puna Iti i te Ao Mārama

Listen to it here:

http://www.waateanews.com/site/uma/images/podcasts/Thursday_Night_23_11_2012_-_Pa_Henare_Tait_1_Pub.mp3