Monumental history illuminates the dawn of film in New Zealand

More than 20 years in the writing, The Camera in the Crowd: Filming New Zealand in Peace and War, 1895–1920 is a magnum opus — the first book to document fully the beginnings of filmmaking and cinema for and by New Zealanders.

In 536 pages this sumptuous hardback brings to life the first 25 years of film in New Zealand, from the arrival of the first kinetoscope technology through the building of cinemas, filming for tourism promotion, cameramen working in the First World War and the arrival of 'talkies'.

"This is the book that I've hoped that someone would write," comments Sir Peter Jackson in his enthusiastic foreword.

Luxuriously illustrated with over 350 photos, film stills and ephemera, the book mimics those early experiences of film, as the author explains:

"Film is made to be seen on screen and this book reflects this by providing stills from the films discussed. Titles of surviving films are also identified by a small projector in the margin that allows you to access the film online and pause and have a look at what you are reading about.

"Each page also includes a still from the 1914 film Auckland's Expeditionary Force  ... you can enjoy this segment by flipping the pages in the manner of the once very popular flip books."

One of the 268 'flip book' images

Christopher Pugsley is best known for his military histories including Gallipoli: The New Zealand Story, and it was that expertise that led to his working for the then New Zealand Film Archive in the early 1990s. From there grew his passion for film history that has continued with the current Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, which has furnished the images and information for much of the book.

As Sir Peter concludes his foreword:

"You are holding a treasure trove in your hands. It's time to peer through that peephole and see our country of 100 years ago come alive again.

"Thank you, Chris."

Christopher Pugsley is one of New Zealand's most respected historians. Formerly a Lieutenant-Colonel in the New Zealand Army and a lecturer in military studies in New Zealand, Australia and the UK, he has writen numerous works of military history including Gallipoli: The New Zealand Story and The Anzac Experience, and was historical director of the Gallipoli: The Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa Tongarewa, the New Zealand National Museum in Wellington. He lives in Waikanae Beach. 

Publication Date: 29 November 2017  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-34-6 |  RRP $80

Paperback, 270 x 215 mm, 536 pages (8 pages colour)

Special edition of I Need a New Bum! along with two funny favourites

Thames author Dawn McMIllan and Auckland illustrator Ross Kinnaird have been a winning books team for 15 years.

Their 2012 book I Need a New Bum! is among their biggest hits, selling over 50,000 copies in New Zealand, many more in Australia and the UK, and having US and Chinese editions.

Building on that success, this new collection brings together New Bum! with two popular stories that have been out of print for some time.

Seagull Sid and the naughty things his seagulls did! is the hilarious tale of the seagulls whose beach is slowly being ruined by littering humans and their messy sun cream. 

Sid and his seagull mates take desperate dive-bombing measures to reclaim their territory ....

Meanwhile in Doggy Doo on my Shoe, there's a terrible smell that's sticking around at home, in the classroom, even in a taxi.  Who’s to blame? And what to do when doggy doo gets on your shoe?

At $29.99 for three books in one, I Need a New Bum! and other stories is great value for laughs!  

Dawn McMillan is a writer who lives north of Thames. She has enjoyed many successful collaborations with Ross Kinnaird, an illustrator who lives in Birkenhead, Auckland. Among their recent successes are the bestselling Doctor Grundy’s Undies, last year’s Squeakopotamus and a new book for 2017, Charlie and his amazing tales.

Publication Date: 9 November 2017  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-32-2 |  RRP $29.99

Paperback, 230 x 215 mm, 96 pages colour

Vale Gordon Ogilvie

This obituary from the weekend's Press pays fitting tribute to the late Gordon Ogilvie.

Gordon was a wonderful man and a fine author who contributed in particular to a lively recording of Canterbury history. 

I had the privilege of working with him on a couple of books including an update of The Riddle of Richard Pearse, and he was a generous adviser in work on place names. 

Gordon's last book, Place Names of Banks Peninsula and the Port Hills, was published in August and is available from good bookstores or the Canterbury University Press website.

Peter Dowling

The Christmas cat returns

A new reprint of the moving Christmas tale, Holy Socks, is released today. It tells the story of a lost cat and the kindly man who saved it, seen through the eyes of a young girl, Christie.

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 are 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, Christie calls out, ‘Can I keep the cat?’ Father John, by way of answer, tells everyone the story of Bertie and Socks.

With charming illustrations by Philip Webb, Dawn McMillan's story is a sweet tale for Christmas, with one irresistible cat at its heart.

Publication Date: 30 October 2017  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-44-5 |  RRP $19.99

Paperback, 230 x 215 mm, 32 pages colour

New book celebrates and profiles New Zealand's regions

When bringing up her children in New Zealand, Oratia's media director Alessandra Zecchini felt she could have used a book that introduced them to the country's regions. 

Having grown up in Italy, Alessandra couldn't answer some of their questions, so came up with the idea of a book that did - helping not only children but also adults new to New Zealand to understand its regional identities.

Oratia's publisher Peter Dowling and editorial director Carolyn Lagahetau set out to make the book – conceived as an easy guide that is suitable for children from age 10 up, and is in English simple enough for most immigrants and tourists to access. 

Regions of New Zealand is a colourful, large-format hardback that gives readers all the basics about the diverse geography and characteristics of the nation (see link, https://www.oratia.co.nz/product/regions-of-new-zealand/)

Through maps, photos, fact boxes and simple text, the book takes readers on a tour from Northland to Southland, Tokelau to Antarctica.

Each region features in a spread of the book, with a colour map showing towns and features, summary text, photos illustrating key locations and tourist destinations, fact boxes and key info. 

In addition are sections on Māori regional relationships, early provincial divisions, outlying territories and study links.

Peter authored the book under Carolyn's editorial direction, with design by Cheryl Smith and input from a range of experts, official sources, proofreaders and photographers.

German children's book publisher Katja Korintenberg (left) gets a preview
of Regions of New Zealand with Peter Dowling at the recent Frankfurt Book Fair

Sales and marketing consultant Belinda Cooke is promoting Regions of New Zealand and can be reached for publicity enquiries on belinda@oratia.co.nz

Publication Date: 24 October 2017  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-35-3 |  RRP $29.99

Hardback, 270 x 210 mm, 40 pages colour