Books of mana: 10 essential reads for Waitangi Day

In the 185 years since te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed between Maori rangatira and the British Crown, Maori have been writing about its meaning, sharing their stories and seeking justice.

For some years, we have been reading and thinking about this mass of written work by Maori. While we know and love these titles, we were aware many New Zealanders have little idea that Maori scholarship stretches back to the earliest books published in this country.

So, in 2018 we collaborated with Nga Pae o te Maramatanga (the Maori Centre of Research Excellence) and Te Aparangi Royal Society of New Zealand to curate a list of Maori non-fiction publications. Our list formed the inspiration for Books of Mana: 180 Maori-Authored Books of Significance, published this week by Otago University Press.

Co-edited with Jeanette Wikaira, and featuring short essays by leading Maori writers about their relationship to books, matauranga Maori and the written word, it showcases 180 Maori-authored books published between 1815 and 2022.

For generations our ancestors created sense, meaning, stories and histories from the mountains, rivers and coastlines, and recited generations of history and knowledge through whakapapa, karanga, whaikorero, moteatea and purakau.

With the arrival of Europeans in the late 18th-century, Maori adopted new tools for recording and passing on knowledge. Pen and paper were rapidly added to the kete and used to weave stories, to engage in creative expression, and as a way to connect and resist.

Much of this writing holds prestige, authority, power, influence, status and even charisma. The word that we think best describes these books is mana.

We encourage all New Zealanders to know more about these remarkable books. At a time when Maori language, culture, identity and te Tiriti are politically threatened, Maori writing is essential for anyone serious about understanding the past, present and future of Aotearoa New Zealand from a Maori perspective.

This Waitangi Day, consider reading any one of these 180 books. But to help make the selection even easier, here are ten that are accessible in bookstores or local libraries.

These titles address language revitalisation, leadership, politics and history. They are also relevant to the world we find ourselves in today.

Nga Pepa a Ranginui, The Walker Papers – Ranginui Walker

To understand contemporary political debates it is worth looking to the past. Ranginui Walker was one of New Zealand’s leading intellectuals. His collection of opinion pieces, originally published in the Listener magazine between 1973 and 1990, are collated in Nga Pepa a Ranginui, The Walker Papers.

All of these opinion pieces remain relevant today. As a communicator between the worldviews of Maori and Pakeha, the range of topics he wrote about was extraordinary, from fishing rights, to Maori ideas about health, to critiques of government policies.

Toku Reo, Toku Ohooho – Chris Winitana

Ranginui Walker said te reo Maori is a taonga. In Toku Reo Toku Ohooho, Chris Winitana tells the story of the people who fought for its retention and revitalisation from the 1970s – and why this kaupapa remains so vitally important today. The book is available either in English or te reo Maori and will be of interest to many as we strive to keep te reo Maori alive.

Huia Histories of Maori: Nga Tahuhu Korero – Danny Keenan

A stellar lineup of Maori writers will help deepen your knowledge of custom, the natural world, language, health, politics and cultural expression in editor Danny Keenan’s recently republished book Huia Histories of Maori. It covers a vast array of topics, from waka migration traditions, to the introduction of Christianity, to the New Zealand Wars and much more.

Navigating the Stars: Maori Creation Myths – Witi Ihimaera

In Navigating the Stars: Maori creation myths Witi Ihimaera shows how we have always been storytellers, intellectuals and knowledge makers. Purakau (legends) are retold for the 21st-century by this pioneer of the Maori novel and short story.

We are in awe of the way the author honours this storytelling tradition and strengthens it for the future. This is a big book that starts our national history with Maori creation narratives, and challenges us to think differently about our past.

Te Koparapara: An introduction to the Maori world – Michael Reilly & others

If you are looking to build your knowledge of te ao Maori (the Maori world), but don’t know where to begin, we recommend Te Koparapara. It’s a really accessible introduction to Maori culture, tikanga, history and contemporary society.

Wayfinding Leadership – Chellie Spiller, Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr & John Panoho

Our tupuna (ancestors) guide us into the future. Chellie Spiller, Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr and John Panoho look to waka navigators in Wayfinding Leadership. It’s part practical guide about how to lead for the collective good, but also part introduction to Maori philosophy. And it’s all cleverly told through the boldness, radical vision and skill of those who laid the foundations for Maori to flourish in these islands.

Imagining Decolonisation – Bianca Elkington, Moana Jackson & others

The bestselling Imagining Decolonisation explains what decolonisation looks like for Maori and Pakeha in an accessible way, and sets out what is required for our country to become a just society.

A particular highlight is the contribution of the late Moana Jackson. A lawyer who was passionate about the transformative possibilities of te Tiriti for Aotearoa, his writings about justice reform and constitutional change will continue to shape generations to come.

A Fire in the Belly of Hineamaru – Melinda Webber & Te Kapua O'Connor

A Fire in the Belly of Hineamaru: A collection of narratives about Te Tai Tokerau, translated into te reo Maori by Quinton Hita, is an invitation into Te Tai Tokerau histories, lands and esteemed ancestors, told through the lives of peacemakers, strategists, explorers and entrepreneurs (available in both English and te reo Maori editions).

Mokorua – Ariana Tikao

Mokorua is an inspiring account of the author “re-indigenising” through receiving her moko kauae. We love how she weaves that story into a personal reclaiming of language and identity. Matt Calman’s photographs are particularly striking, too.

From the Centre: A writer’s life – Patricia Grace

A favourite book is From the Centre: a writer’s life, an uplifting memoir by one of our most gifted fiction writers. It stresses the power of reading for cultivating imagination, anchoring identity and deepening a sense of belonging.

We treasured reading about Grace’s life growing up, how she responded to instances of injustice and unfairness, and how she had the courage to write about everyday Maori families. The gentle weight of this beautiful work, in both a physical and emotional sense, will live with us for a long time.

These books enrich our scholarship and our everyday life. We hope you take some time this Waitangi week to engage with Maori writing, and that you come to love these taonga as much as we do.

Angela Wanhalla has received previous funding from Royal Society Te Aparangi and Nga Pae o te Maramatanga for this book project.

Jacinta Ruru has received previous funding from Royal Society Te Aparangi and Nga Pae o te Maramatanga for this book project.