Ross Calman's The Treaty of Waitangi is Margaret Mahy Book of the Year

Ross Calman at Wednesday's ceremony in Wellington (courtesy New Zealand Book Awards Trust/Vijay Paul) 

Ngā mihi nui ki a Ross Calman — Hearty congratulations to Ross Calman!

Ross's book The Treaty of Waitangi won the coveted Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults ceremony in Wellington this past Wednesday 13 August. 

The Treaty of Waitangi also won the Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction. 

Oratia Books editorial director Carolyn Lagahetau with Ross Calman at the awards night

'On behalf of everyone at Oratia, our warmest mihis to Ross Calman on this achievement,' said Oratia Books publisher Peter Dowling. 

'Ross has made a significant contribution to books in Aotearoa over more than 25 years, and our publishing relationship dates back to when I was starting as a senior editor at Reed Publishing (NZ). This honour is welcome recognition of his talents and mahi. 

'My sincere thanks to the hard-working judges and organisers of the awards, and to the Oratia team behind both this book and the rest of The NZ Series — especially editorial director Carolyn Lagahetau and designer Sarah Elworthy.'

Congratulations to all the award winners!

The Treaty of Waitangi — everything you need to know

The Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Ross Calman

Highly topical addition to The NZ Series spans the past, present and future implications of the Treaty of Waitangi 

With The Treaty of Waitangi headlining political news in recent months, understanding its meaning and history has never been more important.  

 

In this engaging addition to The NZ Series, author and editor Ross Calman demystifies Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and unravels its complexities — offering a fresh, well-rounded perspective.

 

Opening by exploring the context for the treaty’s drafting, Calman tracks its signing around the country, and then delves deep into the text and translation that caused so much contention in the following years.

By exploring the political role that the Treaty has played, through to the formation of the Waitangi Tribunal and recent protests, The Treaty of Waitangi goes beyond history to offer a lens on today’s society.

Using extensive photos, fact boxes and quotes, the book views New Zealand’s founding document from a range of modern perspectives. It touches on the Treaty’s role in popular culture, treaty settlements, and the debate and promise of reconciliation it inspires.

It brings the Treaty story up to the present day with consideration of the highly controversial Treaty Principles Bill now before Parliament.

This eighth book in The NZ Series — a non-fiction resource for general readers and schools that introduces complex subjects in concise terms — publishes in time for Waitangi Day 2025. 

The author

Courtesy Auckland Libraries

Ross Calman (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa, Kāi Tahu) is a distinguished author and editor who has written widely on the Treaty of Waitangi and the New Zealand Wars. With Oratia Books his works include He Atua, He Tangata: The World of Māori Mythology and Favourite Māori Legends. He lives in Ōtautahi/Christchurch.

Publication: 21 January 2025  |  ISBN: 978-1-99-004277-5 | RRP $29.99

Paperback, 240 x 160 mm portrait, 100 pages, colour

The Treaty of Waitangi: back in print

Read Beattie's Book Blog on the release of Ross Calman's The Treaty of Waitangi today, another neat New Zealand book back in print through Libro International. Ross spoke this evening with Vapi Kupenga on Radio Watea 603 AM; kia ora i tou tautoko e Vapi, me he mihi nui ki a koe e Ross.