Book giveaway: Favourite Māori Legends (2013)

Alexander Wyclif (A.W.) Reed became New Zealand’s most prolific author and publisher in the course of the twentieth century. His works on Māori and Aboriginal culture and language remain in print 40 years after his death, with his retellings of myths and legends among his most sought-after books. 

A.W. Reed

So when we discovered this collection was out of print, we agreed with Reed’s long-time colleague and literary agent Ray Richards to publish a newly designed paperback. Editor Ross Calman (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa, Kāi Tahu) carefully revised the stories, and we reproduced the lovely original illustrations by Roger Hart.

Ray sadly passed away the month before the new Favourite Māori Legends was publsihed, but his assurance that the book would serve a new readership was spot on. The book has reprinted several times and has attracted international interest, with an edition in Spanish (Ediciones Sigueme, Salamanca) and other languages in negotiation.

Visit our Fb Page  to be in to win a copy of Favourite Māori Legends! Prize available to New Zealand residents only. 

Competition closes on Monday 1 July, and winner announced on Tuesday 2 July.

New book, old book – celebrating Rotorua and A.W. Reed

A new facsimile edition of the A.W. Reed and Dennis Turner classic Legends of Rotorua and the Hot Lakes hits the bookshelves today.

Several generations of readers have learned of key elements of Māori history from the pen of the late Alexander Wyclif Reed. His list of published works in this area is long and deep and his popularity has rarely waned.

In Legends of Rotorua and the Hot Lakes, first published in 1958, Reed collected many of  the classic myths from that cradle of Māori culture, Rotorua – with relevance across New Zealand.

Legends of Rotorua and the Hot Lakes brings together the timeless accounts of great ancestors such as Ngatoro-i-rangi and Ihenga with beloved stories like those of Hinemoa and Tutanekai, or Hatupatu and the Birdwoman. 

It presents many legends and historical events in relation to localities, lakes and volcanoes around the Rotorua region — the township, Lake Rotorua, Mokoia, Ngongotaha, Tarawera and beyond — and includes a chapter on place names. 

This facsimile edition reproduces the original edition, speaking to the era of the book’s original publication, with A.W. Reed’s graceful text matched by the beautiful and detailed illustrations of Dennis Turner.

A.W. Reed (1908–1979) was one of New Zealand’s most influential writers and publishers. He helped build A.H. & A.W. Reed into the country’s leading publisher by the mid-twentieth century, and authored more than 200 books. His works on Māori mythology have served New Zealanders for several generations.

Publication: 20 March 2019  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-57-5 |  RRP $29.99

Paperback, 210 x 148 mm, 164 pages b&w