Modern physics explained through the life and discoveries of Ernest Rutherford

Ernest Rutherford and the Birth of Modern Physics 

Matthew Wright

International release for new book explaining the earth-shaking discoveries of New Zealand's greatest scientist

Revealing the science that propelled Nelson’s greatest son to a Nobel Prize, Ernest Rutherford and the Birth of Modern Physics traces key concepts in modern science from their origins in the work of the man Einstein labelled ‘a second Newton’. 

Ernest Rutherford

Wellington writer Matthew Wright uses Rutherford’s life as a guide to trace the evolution of the modern physics that sits behind much of today’s everyday life. 

In the early 1900s, scientists discovered a world of waves, particles and unseen forces, giving humanity everything from radio to TV,   X-ray machines to smoke detectors. 

Rutherford was a key mover of this new world, becoming known as the ‘father of the atom’. 

Following his career from Canterbury University College through to Cambridge University, Wright reveals why Rutherford’s work seized the public imagination and remains integral to our understanding of the universe. 

It explains how the science behind his discoveries work, with many helpful diagrams and photos.

Ernest Rutherford and the Birth of Modern Physics is a major international publication. 

It goes on sale in October in bookstores across New Zealand, and Matthew will be making his first instore appearances at Unity Books (Wellington), Schrödingers Books (Petone) and Wardini Books (Napier) this month. 

Scribe Publications (Melbourne and London) is publishing the Australian and UK editions in October, with a hardback edition out in North America in November.

This book offers a chance for any reader to get a handle on the modern physics that so influences our everyday lives.

 

The author

Matthew Wright is the author of over 60 books on topics ranging from history to science and engineering, for all ages. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His books include Living on Shaky Ground, about the science of earthquakes, and the introductory book The New Zealand Wars. He is active on social media and available for talks. Matthew lives in Wellington (matthewwright.net). 

Publication: 7 October 2025  |  ISBN: 978-1-99-004268-3 | RRP $45.00

Paperback, 234 x 153 mm portrait, 298 pages, b&w with photo sections

A monumental history of New Zealand's mounted and armoured forces comes to fruition

Those Who Have the Courage

The History of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps and predecessor forces

Matthew Wright

Across more than 160 years, the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps and its predecessor forces have served and reflected our evolving nation. 

 

This richly illustrated work, painstakingly compiled by historian Matthew Wright, captures the drama of this key part of our armed forces. 

The book goes on sale on 3 April at good booksellers nationwide.

 

Opening with New Zealand’s turbulent colonial era and its volunteer cavalry, the book progresses through to the Boer War, the professionalisation of the services on the eve of the First World War, and the mounted experience in Gallipoli and Palestine. 

Wright goes on to examine the way New Zealand developed its use of armour during the Second World War, and the battles fought by the new armoured forces in North Africa, Italy and the Pacific. 

 

That leads to an examination of the people and fortunes of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps itself from 1947, in what has been a roller-coaster ride through the shifting sands of politics and economic constraint, including operations in Bosnia, East Timor and Afghanistan. 

 

Plentiful photographs and detailed maps distinguish this handsome hardback, along with extended appendices.

As Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro writes in the foreword: ‘Those Who Have the Courage will be a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in the military and social history of New Zealand’.

The author

Matthew Wright is the prolific author of over 60 books on a wide range of topics for all ages, principally on New Zealand history. A respected historian, he is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His other works with Oratia are Freyberg, The New Zealand Wars and The New Zealand Experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front. Matthew lives in Wellington (see matthewwright.net).

Publication: 3 April 2024  |  ISBN: 978-1-99-004255-3 | RRP $95.00

Jacketed hardback, 280 x 200 mm portrait, 648 pages, colour and b&w

 

The Battlecruiser New Zealand — ‘biography’ of the ship that defined New Zealand's imperial past

The Battlecruiser New Zealand: A Gift to Empire

Matthew Wright

HMS New Zealand is arguably the most famous ship ever to serve the country, even though it was under Royal Navy colours.

 

It has hitherto featured only in general naval histories, so this classy hardback fills in an often-overlooked chapter in the nation’s story. 

 

In March 1909 New Zealand’s Premier Joseph Ward offered a ‘first-class battleship’ to the British Navy as a contribution to the Empire (and to guard against the perceived threat of a newly rising Japan). 

Paid for by the people of New Zealand it entered service in time to fight with distinction in the North Sea naval battles of the First World War. 

 

Born of the collision between New Zealand’s patriotic dreams and European politics, the tale of HMS New Zealand is further wrapped in issues of engineering, naval strategy and public opinion. 

The Battlecruiser New Zealand is a fast-paced account of the ship’s career, brought to life through official documents, eyewitness accounts and new research. Kiwi historian Matthew Wright tells the story as part naval history and part ‘biography’ of the vessel and its sailors.

The result is an elegant hardback, filled with illustrations of the ship during its lifespan — from construction to its triumphant world tour, service in battle and final dismantling for scrap in 1923.

Included is a colour section featuring the ship's construction plans and paintings of its action in the First World War.

Oratia Books is proud to publish this history in a coedition with Seaforth Publishing, UK, one of the world’s premiere  publishers of maritime books. 

The author

Matthew Wright is the author of over 60 books on a wide range of topics for all ages, principally New Zealand history. A highly respected historian, he is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His other books with Oratia are The New Zealand Wars, Freyberg — A Life’s Journey and The New Zealand Experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front. He lives in Wellington.

Publication: 16 November 2021  |  RRP $59.99  |  ISBN:  978-1-526784-0-32 

Hardback, 234 x 156 mm, 288 pages, b&w with colour section

Concise introduction to the New Zealand Wars adds a further dimension to The NZ Series

The New Zealand Wars  

Matthew Wright

Respected historian Matthew Wright has condensed his years of research and writing on the New Zealand Wars into this concise guide for readers of all ages. 

 

Building on his major works on the subject including the masterful Two Peoples, One Land (2006), Wright here consolidates his analysis into one introductory book full of illustrations, sidebars, boxes and maps. 

At 100 pages, The New Zealand Wars has over 70 images, many in colour, showing historical paintings as well as modern photos that can help direct visitors to battle sites today.

 

Why did the New Zealand Wars occur? Who fought them and how did they proceed? Where were these battles fought?

The New Zealand Wars answers these questions in probing text.

It introduces the wars’ major incidents, movements and people — including the Battle of Gate Pa and Pai Marire, and figures such as Colonel G.S. Whitmore and Te Kooti. 

Wright shows that the wars, which pitted British settlers and allied Māori against other Māori from 1845 to 1872, really ended up as a civil war fanning flames in many regions.

The New Zealand Wars is the fifth in The NZ Series, for a general and school readership, and tailored to the new Aotearoa New Zealand Histories curriculum.

Click on these links to read about other titles in the series — Rush to Riches, Pioneer Women, Volcanoes and Earthquakes and First Encounters.

The author

Matthew Wright is the author of over 60 books on a wide range of topics for all ages, principally New Zealand history. A highly respected historian, he is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His other books with Oratia are Freyberg — A Life’s Journey and The New Zealand Experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front. He lives in Wellington.

Publication: 8 July 2021  |  RRP $29.99  |  ISBN:  978-0-947506-93-3

Paperback, 240 x 160 mm, 100 pages, colour

New biography sheds light on the private side of the legendary Bernard Freyberg

Freyberg: A Life’s Journey

Matthew Wright

Biography out tomorrow (6 October) focuses on Bernard Freyberg the man to reveal the reality behind a towering 20^th-century hero

The name Freyberg appears all across New Zealand, in streets, parks, schools, buildings, public spaces, pools and more. 

For much of the 20th century Bernard Freyberg was a household name: a swimming champion, an action-hero, military commander and Governor-General —a physically imposing figure known to most Kiwis as ‘Tiny’, following his childhood nickname. 

 

Freyberg receiving support as he attempts to swim the English Channel

Now in this new, concise biography, prolific author Matthew Wright reveals the complex man behind the myth for 21^st-century readers less familiar with Freyberg — tracking his personal journey from lower middle-class Wellington to his death in London as Lieutenant General The Right Hon. Lord Freyberg. 

Bernard Freyberg with son Paul during the Allied advance in Italy, 1944 

Who was this man, who presented initially as innocent and vague, yet showed a sharp intellect to those who knew him? How much of his action-hero status came from an effort to validate himself? 

Being sworn in as Governor-General, 1946

Why was he so ferociously private he did not even have a photographer at his own wedding? Why did he try to keep his 1914 adventures during the Mexico Revolution secret to the point of having his biographies censored?

Freyberg Beach, Wellington – one of many places named after the man

Freyberg: A Life’s Journey is the most accessible and revealing  Freyberg biography yet, with numerous photos. 

 

The author

Matthew Wright is one of New Zealand’s most published historians and writers. His work includes more than 600 articles, papers and reviews, and over 60 books on topics from biography to military and social history. His other Oratia books are The New Zealand Wars (2014) and The New Zealand Experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front (2017) (see matthewwright.net).

Publication: 6 October 2020  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-72-8  | RRP $45.00

Paperback with flaps, 234 x 153 mm portrait, 232 pages, b&w

 

Great reception for Matthew Wright's new book as Anzac Day approaches

The New Zealand Experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front has made a strong showing in the media and bookstores since publication on 6 April.

This past Saturday 22nd, Messines Bookshop in Featherston hosted a launch at which author Matthew Wright spoke.

Matthew Wright signing a copy for Viv Napier, Mayor of South Wairarapa 

A good crowd turned out to this young bookshop that specialises in military history.

Also on the weekend, the New Zealand Listener came out with a major extract from the book. Here's how Matthew's writing about the Passchendaele campaign is billed on the Noted website:

In Flanders fields

New Zealand’s most lethal military campaign was on the Western Front between 1916 and 1918. On the campaign’s worst day, a century ago this year, 845 Kiwis died trying to take a small Belgian village. by Matthew Wright

The new issue of the New Zealand Listener featuring Matthew's work 

Get your copy of the Listener to read more.

Historian Gavin McLean gave the book a very positive review in the Otago Daily Times books section on the weekend - describing it as 'a fine introduction to a war that still shapes our world'.

Matthew had earlier talked about the book with Terry Toner on Radio Southland's book show.

And for information about The New Zealand Experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front, click
here.

Matthew Wright's authoritative First World War history publishes today

Out today, The New Zealand Experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front has been praised as "well written, superbly organised, balanced and up to date" and "an ideal introduction on New Zealand's encounter with the maelstrom of the First World War".

On sale from today in all good booksellers, Matthew Wright's major history balances taut writing with extensive illustrations.

A sample of the photos gives a flavour of what our soldiers faced during the Gallipoli and Western Front campaigns, and the impact these events had back home.

The New Zealand Experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front | ISBN: 978-0-947506-19-3 |  

RRP $49.99  |  Paperback with flaps, 240 x 170 mm, 392 pages

The New Zealand Experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front

‘The best and most comprehensive book on New Zealand’s experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front.’ — Professor Tom Brooking

In this compelling illustrated history, Matthew Wright conveys the momentous impact that the First World War wrought both on the front lines and back home – changes that continue to echo in twenty-first century New Zealand.

In The New Zealand Experience at Gallipoli and the Western Front, historian Matthew Wright goes to the heart of how the First World War affected the lives of ordinary New Zealanders. The book analyses what it was like for New Zealand soldiers at the two main battle fronts where they fought, and frames it with the social effects back home.

Beginning with an outline of pre-war New Zealand society, Wright portrays the extraordinary world of war into which its young men plunged as they entered the baptism of fire at Gallipoli. The end of innocence that the withdrawal from the Dardanelles implied led to a harder, more fatalistic approach in the theatre of mechanised death that was the Western Front. By war’s end, hope and glory had faded, replaced by a new view of military heroism – in a country forever changed.

Click here to find out more and to order the book.