The Last Maopo - a unique story from the First World War

A new book on sale this Thursday provides unprecedented insight into the Māori experience of the First World War by retelling the life of Ngāi Tahu soldier Wiremu Maopo.

Through more than 40 letters to his friend Virgie Fincham at his home outside Christchurch, Wiremu depicts the robust contribution the Māori Pioneer Battalion made to the First World War – despite official attempts to keep them away from frontline duties.

Back home, friendly relations between Māori and Pākehā – embodied in the warm letters between Wiremu and Virgie – masked tragedy and discrimination. All of Wiremu’s siblings died in childhood or later in life and after the war, he ironically becomes the sole survivor of his once large family.

Wiremu had left for the war unaware that his Pākehā girlfriend Phoebe was pregnant. Her outraged parents told Phoebe that Wiremu was dead and forced the adoption of their daughter.

Neither Wiremu nor Phoebe ever learned the truth, and only now has the family line been revived by the work of Tania Simpson, a leading businesswoman who is Wiremu’s great-granddaughter.

“This is a personal story but one that sheds light on the sacrifices Māori made in contributing to the First World War, and the challenges they faced in early New Zealand,” she said.

The book will be officially launched at Ngati Moki marae in Taumutu, near Leeston, on Anzac Day.

THE LAST MAOPO

The Life and First World War Sacrifice of Wiremu Maopo           

Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson

Release Date:  10 April 2014  |  ISBN: 978-1-877514-66-1  | RRP $34.99

Paperback, 240 x 170 mm, 160 pages, b&w with photos

Libro International, a division of Oratia Media
www.librointernational.com   |    www.oratiamedia.com

New representation for Auckland

Well-known book rep Paul Greenberg is now handling Libro International books for Auckland bookstores. 

Paul's agency Greene Phoenix Marketing has represented our books south of the Bombays since 2009, and we look forward to his extending that work in Auckland. Paul (pictured) is one of New Zealand's most experienced book marketers, ably supported by partner Joan Roulston. Paul can be contacted on paul.gpm@xtra.co.nz 

or 021 722 210. 

We extend our sincere thanks to Bruce Campbell for all the work he has done introducing our new list to the book trade in Auckland and Northland over the past four and a half years. His vast experience in the trade and unflappable good humour have helped Libro International greatly. Bruce will continue to provide advice for marketing to bookstores in Northland.

Te Ara: Te Hokinga Mai

Te Ara: Māori Pathways of Leadership, the exhibition of taonga and Krzysztof Pfeiffer photography curated by Paul Tapsell and Merata Kawharu, returns to Aotearoa on Friday 28 March. Te Ara has toured Poland, the UK, Germany and Canada for more than three years and now will go on show at the Rotorua Museum, where a pōwhiri on Friday will welcome a delegation from the Musqueam Indian Band of Vancouver, who are escorting Te Ara home. 

Ngā mihi mahana ki a Krzysztof, Merata rāua ko Paul mo tō koutou mahi whakamīharo.

Libro International is proud to publish the accompanying book Te Ara. Oratia Media has supported the exhibition with project management since its inauguration in Olstyn, Poland in September 2010.

A sea story from Tessa Duder

In the March issue of North & South magazine Tessa Duder writes about sailing from Australia to New Zealand in the first Trans-Tasman Tall Ships race. 

Tessa combines a deep knowledge of sailing with a rare storytelling flair. 

In 2012 Libro International published her book The Story of Peter Blake, the life of one of our most famous sailors retold for younger readers; and this November we're delighted to be releasing her new collection Sea Stories, a dozen short stories about children and young people living and learning on boats. 

One of the stories took inspiration from Tessa's recent voyage - but we can't give any more away than that just yet!

http://m.facebook.com/northandsouthnz/photos/a.146638218706682.19976.134062529964251/631837890186710/?type=1&source=46&refid=17

From PANZ News: Taipei International Book Exhibition in review

In PANZ News today: Kiwi publishers in Taiwan

Peter Dowling of Oratia Media made his first visit to TIBE this year. He appreciated the size of the fair, and having good qualities of time and access to build relationships with Taiwanese and other publishers.

Click here to read the full story.

From the Taipei International Book Exhibition

Hall 1 at the Taiwan World Trade Center

Our first time at the Taipei International Book Exhibition is proving busy and educational. The show spreads across two halls at the Taipei World Trade Center with a bustling mix of trade and public visitors. The majority of exhibitors are Taiwanese publishers and booksellers, with a healthy representation of Asian and world publishers. 

Oratia Media's books are alongside five fellow Kiwi publishers - Auckland University Press, David Ling Publishing, Gecko Press, Upstart Press and Wendy Pye - on the New Zealand stand. It's proving a productive fair that we're all hoping will lead to translations and sales for our authors and illustrators, especially as next year will be New Zealand's turn as Guest of Honour.

Click here to read more.

Peter Dowling, Publisher

Welcome to the New Zealand stand 

Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand are collectively Guest of Honour this year 

Our own New Zealand Tattoo features prominently in the Sweet Life exhibition of beautiful books from around the world

After a trade-only day on Wednesday, the doors are now open to the reading public

Cosplay, anime and manga are wildly popular

Representing Kiwi publishing in Taipei

In PANZ News today:

Six publishers have headed to the Taipei International Book Exhibition with their lists and two others will be displayed on the New Zealand stand at the exhibition which begins today, 5 February, and runs until 10 February.

Click here to read the full story.

Libro goes to Taiwan

Libro International books will be on show at the Taipei International Book Exhibition next week, when Oratia Media takes its place on the New Zealand collective stand at Taiwan's leading book event. 

Supported by the Publishers Association of New Zealand and Creative New Zealand, the stand will allow us to showcase our authors to professional visitors as well as Taiwanese readers (the exhibition's first day on 5 February is for professional visitors, then it opens to the general public from 6 - 10 February). New Zealand is preparing to be Guest of Honour at the event in 2015.

In addition to publishers from Taiwan, I'll be meeting with colleagues from elsewhere in Asia, as well as further afield. Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand are the countries of focus at this year's exhibition - so we're looking to make inroads into these large and affluent book markets.

Peter Dowling, Publisher

A Poem about Parkinson's

Check out this link for a moving account of Parkinson's disease illustrated by Ross Kinnaird (illustrator of our books I Need a New Bum! and Woolly Wally). This video won two top prizes at the 2012 World Parkinson's Congress in Montreal, Canada.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PFknl5YFsE

I Need a New Bum! continues its bestselling run

Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird continue to reach hundreds of Kiwi kids with I Need a New Bum!, which is at number 2 on Whitcoulls Top 5 NZ Picture Books. http://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/books/general/505373/#stock_status=InStock%7CPreOrder (Click n.2)

Congrats to this great author-illustrator team and thanks to Whitcoulls for doing such a great job selling our book. 

Libro International signs Italian and Chinese agency deals

Following the recent Frankfurt Book Fair and ongoing marketing in Europe and Asia, I’m pleased to announce we have signed agency agreements for Libro International books in Italy and China.

In Italy we have appointed the respected Milan-based agency Agenzia Servizi Editoriali to represent all of our children’s titles and selected non-fiction rights for the Italian language. ASE works with both Italian and international publishers to promote quality books in a range of languages; in addition to selling our rights, we’ll also be working with ASE for select rights acquisitions from publishers in Italy.

Meanwhile in China we’ve agreed a fixed-term deal with Chengdu Rightol Agency for representation of eight books in the Chinese market. This established agency based in Chengdu will seek Chinese rights deals for children’s titles along with a couple of standout books from the past year, New Zealand Tattoo and Favourite Māori Legends.

Through these collaborations we hope to have some of our authors appearing in Italian and Chinese editions before too long. 

Peter Dowling

Publisher

Libro International

Māori Maps at the National Library

Māori Maps is one of the innovative organisations featured in an exhibition that opened yesterday at the National Library of NZ /Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. If you're in Wellington check out the Leading Edge exhibition -http://natlib.govt.nz/visiting/wellington/leadingedge

Ngā Kupu Ora honours Pā Henare Tate

Thank you to Massey University for hosting a memorable ceremony last Thursday to celebrate the winners of the Ngā Kupu Ora Aotearoa Māori Book Awards.

An audience of over 180 people attended the evening in Te Raukura Wharewaka on Wellington’s waterfront, honouring five authors in the categories of biography, fiction, non-fiction, Māori language and the special award.

I was proud to be there as part of the group to tautoko Pā Henare Tate, who accepted the Non-Fiction/Te Kōrero Pono awards for his He Puna Iti i te Ao Mārama: A Little Spring in the World of Light.

The judges described Pā’s work as “a compelling and passionate description of the role that tikanga and kaupapa play in the construction of a Māori Christian theological framework.”

Other winners included esteemed fiction writer Witi Ihimaera for White Lies, and Bradford Haami for his work Ka Mau te Wehi.

Massey has taken an important initiative with these awards, now in their fifth year, and which aim to foster Māori literary excellence, authorship and scholarship.

Pā Henare Tate with supporters; Sister Magdalen Sheahan (centre) was a key editor on the book. 

Staff members of Massey University/Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa in full flight 

Dawn McMillan in store with Holy Socks

Dawn McMillan is appearing bookstores in Auckland and Waikato this month to promote her new book Holy Socks, illustrated by Philip Webb. Here is Dawn introducing the story of Holy Socks the cat to some keen young readers at The Resource Room, Point Chevalier, last Saturday.

RIP Vapi Kupenga

Our aroha to the family of Vapi Kupenga, a great supporter of New Zealand books and writers, who passed away last week. Vapi was a keen promoter of our Māori writers on her Radio Waatea show, and also contributed the Te Reo translation of the Oratia Media site. Haere ra, Vapi, you will be much missed.

http://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_story_id/NTc1Nw==/Tears%20for%20Vapi%20Kupenga

- Hear Selwyn Muru's memories of this rangatira of Ngāti Porou

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1310/S00474/poroporoaki-mo-vapnierka-vapi-kupenga.htm

Holy Socks is here!

Holy Socks

Dawn McMillan & Philip Webb

Christmas classic from the author of 2012 best-seller I need a new Bum!

‘One Christmas Eve, some years ago, a ginger kitten wandered along a street on the far side of town. He was hungry, and cold and wet.’

.

Bertie McGinty finds the kitten and christens him Holy Socks. Soon the pair is inseparable. Even after Bertie’s death, Holy Socks sticks by his master and takes up home in the church near his grave. 

Captivated by Holy Socks as she sits in church, young Christie calls out, ‘Can I keep the cat?’ Father John, by way of answer, tells everyone the story of Holy Socks.

This heart-warming tale from Thames-based Dawn McMillan, with beautiful illustrations by Wellington artist Philip Webb, is set to be an instant Christmas classic.

Dawn is available for interviews and will be appearing in the following bookshops:

2 November – Bookshop and Resource Room, Pt. Chevalier, 10 a.m.

         – Next Page Please!, Takapuna, 2 p.m.

7 November – Kids Book Fair, Takapuna

16 November – Carsons Bookshop, Thames, 3 p.m.

23 November – Browns Bay Library, 10:30 a.m.

28 November – Books for Kids, Hamilton, 10 a.m.

Release Date:  24 October 2013  | ISBN: 978-1-877514-59-3 | RRP $19.99

Paperback, 230 x 215 mm, 32 pages colour

To arrange an interview with Dawn, images or a review copy, contact:

Isabell Zitzelsberger, Marketing Specialist 

022 156 7470 or isabell@oratiamedia.com

Libro International, a division of Oratia Media

www.librointernational.com   |    www.oratiamedia.com

Pā Henare Tate receives Māori Book Award

With great pleasure we can announce that Pā Henare Tate’s He Puna Iti i te Ao Mārama, published by Libro International last November, has won the Te Kōrero Pono/Non-fiction category in the Ngā Kupu Ora Aotearoa Māori Book Awards.

The awards, administered by Massey University, will be granted in a ceremony at Te Wharewaka o Poneke function centre in Wellington on 7 November.

Identified in five categories – biography, fiction, non-fiction, te reo Māori and a special award – the winners were selected from books published between August 2012 and July this year.

Chair of the three-member judging panel and Massey University senior lecturer, Dr Spencer Lilley said the awards are held to address the dearth of Māori literature for adults.

“The awards were created as a result of other major book awards consistently failing to acknowledge Māori authors. The Awards also foster Māori literary excellence, authorship and scholarship in te reo Māori,” he said.

Pā Henare’s work, which is subtitled A Little Spring in the World of Light, was described by the judges as a compelling description of the role that Māori tikanga (protocols) and kaupapa (methodologies) play in the construction of a Māori Christian theological framework.

“This scholarly text joins other seminal works on tikanga Māori by Barlow (Tikanga Whakaaro: key concepts in tikanga Māori) and Mead (Tikanga Māori: living by Māori values),” the judges said.

Our hearty congratulations to Pā Henare for this much deserved recognition.

http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/maori/maori_book_awards/2013-awards/2013-awards_home.cfm

Pā Henare Tate (Ngāti Manawa, Te Rarawa) was formerly a lecturer at the Auckland Catholic Institute of Theology, and the University of Auckland School of Theology. A recognised specialist in Māori spirituality, he now lives lives in Motuti, in northern Hokianga.  

He Puna Iti i Te Ao Mārama: A Little Spring in the World of Light

Pā Henare Tate

978-1-877514-54-8

240 x 160 mm portrait, PB, 320 pp

$75 

Frankfurt Book Fair 2013: Sticking it out in changing times - Peter Dowling reports

Oratia Media was back for our fourth successive year at the Frankfurt Book Fair, which concluded on the weekend.

There were way fewer publishers on the New Zealand collective stand than during our Guest of Honour year in 2012, but for the 14 of us who came back, the benefits of that programme were tangible. We had a big open stand in a good location, well put together by the Publishers Association of New Zealand team, and I really felt able to build on last year’s profile. 

Our section on the New Zealand collective stand in Hall 8

Among my 50 or so meetings were a good number with German publishers, kicking off with a rousing session of beer and pretzels on the Tuesday evening at the BuchMarkt magazine stand. (See Herr Mayer’s column - http://www.buchmarkt.de/content/56406-der-messe-mayer-tag-1-von-6.htm) Relations with our German counterparts have never been healthier.

The unofficial opening party for the fair with German book trade magazine BuchMarkt

Overall visitor numbers at the fair were down some -2% on 2012, to just over 275,000, however. These are times of change and challenge for the global publishing industry, with big challenges in some of our key overseas markets like Italy.

That notwithstanding, the tone of our meetings was mostly positive, especially with US and Canadian publishers, who have already been through a lot of the digital changes that are now reshaping book markets in the rest of the world. There was good interest in our children’s and Māori authors.

Saturday brought a landmark for us, signing a two-year distribution agreement for Libro International books in North America with Virginia-based International Publishers Marketing. We’re looking forward to working with Jane Graf and her team from April 2014.

Libro International books on display

I had a good few meetings with publishers from this year’s Guest of Honour, Brazil, starting with the wonderful Gisela Zincone of Gryphus Editora – we’ve agreed that our 2014 translation of Gryphus’ children’s classic Branquinho o Dognauta will be entitled Snowy the Doganaut. Some lovely illustrated kids’ books are coming out of Brazil.

There wasn’t quite the buzz expected around Brazil, due in part to their stand’s location deep in Hall 5.1, and also the boycott by major authors including Paulo Coelho. No doubting, though, that this is a growing market and one we’re going to continue to develop.

Brazil was this year’s guest of honour at Frankfurt

The New Zealand party on Friday evening was a hit as usual – see Claudia Heydolph’s report on her New Zealand in Germany site and Facebook:

http://nzdeutschland.info/neuseeland-in-frankfurt-2013/

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=437421519695624&set=a.260640327373745.48268.260596830711428&type=3&theater

And as the public flooded in on the Saturday and Sunday, it was time to beat a weary retreat for a last few drinks at the Frankfurter Hof – leaving the Messe to the colourfully attired German cosplay teens. Auf wiedersehn till 2014!

Come the weekend and the cosplay kids were out in force around the fair

Peter Dowling manages independent publisher Oratia Media (www.oratiamedia.com) and is publisher of its books programme, Libro International (www.librointernational.com)