Going West delivers again

Many facets of Oratia Media's publishing were on show in the Going West Writers Festival in Titirangi this past weekend. 

Sir Bob Harvey kicked off the Saturday morning proceedings, talking about the book he published with Oratia in June — Sea Edge: Where the Waitematā Meets Auckland. 

Sir Bob (right) in discussion with Elisabeth Vaneveld and Gregory O'Brien

On the Sunday, our author Malcolm Paterson shared his insights into Auckland's past through the three Sharing Our Stories children's books he's published with us, and was joined by author Owen Gill, whose book Turning Point Auckland we undertook as a commissioned project at the start of the year. 

Malcolm Paterson (talking, second from right) joined Owen Gill (right) and author Patrick Reynolds (second from left) in conversation with Going West artistic director Mark Easterbrook

Then Oratia's publisher Peter Dowling took part in lively discussion of publishing realities in New Zealand, alongside Bridget Williams (Bridget Williams Books) and Harriet Allan (Penguin Random House NZ). 

Congratulations to Going West for a friendly, stimulating weekend!

The Tunnel in Going West

Thanks to the Going West Books and Writers Festival for featuring Malcolm Paterson, author of The Tunnel in our Backyard, in the opening session today.

Malcolm on stage with son Davin

Malcolm, supported by his very well-behaved son Davin, told the audience the genesis of the Sharing our Stories books published by Oratia, and outlined some of the connections to local heritage and landscape that the book conveys.

The first book in the series, The Castle in our Backyard (2010), takes kids into the history of Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill, while The Tunnel in our Backyard (published this June) links to Owairaka/Mount Albert and localities in Te Atatū, Waterview and Point Chevalier.

A great morning for books in Titirangi

Going West continues throughout this weekend, offering up a cornucopia of words and ideas at the Titirangi War Memorial Hall.

Unity Books has books from Malcolm and the other featured writers and artists on sale at the festival.

Click on this link for more information about The Tunnel in our Backyard.

Book Market in Titirangi

Tomorrow, on 8 September, the annual bookmarket of the Going West Festival will be held at Titirangi Memorial Hall from 10 am to 2 pm.
Oratia Media will be there with a book stall, where you can browse and buy all our current books.

We look forward to seeing you there!

On the fringe of heaven ...

On Sunday 20 March the West Auckland Historical Society launched its new book Titirangi: Fringe of Heaven, written by Marc Bonny, and edited by Bruce and Trixie Harvey. This handsome paperback celebrates the culture and history of one of Auckland's most iconic suburbs. Libro International's parent company Oratia Media published the book for the historical society, and is distributing it outside of Auckland through Publishers Distribution Limited. For enquiries contact orders@pubdist.co.nz or phone 09 828 2999.

THE BOOK:

Titirangi, probably Auckland’s most beautiful suburb and on the edge of the dramatic Waitakere Ranges, is truly the ‘fringe of heaven’. This richly illustrated book, compiled over many years by the West Auckland Historical Society, tracks the area’s evolution from successive Maori settlements, the first European arrivals, forest clearings and the beginnings of Titirangi village through to the post-war era when artists and writers began gravitating to the community as its regenerating forest reached for the sky.

Titirangi: Fringe of Heaven collects specialist accounts of Maori history, prominent settlers, architecture, the arts and the environment with personal recollections of Titirangi life. A must for anyone with a connection to this beautiful area or with an interest in the arts and environment.

Marc Bonny grew up in Titirangi and after returning in 1995, has dedicated himself to researching its history. He edits the West Auckland Historical Society newsletter and is an active historical writer.

Bruce and Trixie Harvey have a strong interest in the history and environment of Titirangi; they edited the book Waitakere Ranges for the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society and Bruce is the author of Whatipu.