Whether or not you are native to New Zealand, whether you are young or old, Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand is perfect for anyone with an interest in Maori culture and traditions. This full-colour, gloss book, by Buddy Mikaere, is a comprehensive exploration of Maori culture, protocols and customs, presented in a simple, no-nonsense way.
Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand explores Maori in the past and the present, and their fight to hold onto their traditions. The book begins by taking a look at Maori origins: the voyage to Aotearoa, the traditional Maori society, and the rituals and customs of this people. Maori history, as it relates to trade, warfare, missionaries, land loss and the church, is all covered, as is the treaty of Waitangi and how Maori drifted to the cities.
Mikaere explains the contemporary Maori society, highlighting the value of the marae, community and ritual to this people in the modern world. He provides details of the tribal structure, and of how the traditional customs have been continued from years gone by, adapted and still practiced today.
I believe it is important for everyone living in a country to have some understanding of the culture of those around them. While many New Zealanders are not of Maori descent, the customs of these people are still ingrained in the country. We all delight in seeing the All Blacks perform their “haka” before a rugby game; people of every race, colour and creed enjoy the beauty of a Maori Jade carving; children across New Zealand schools have the option of participating in “kapa haka” and “waka ama.” This book is the ideal book to provide that understanding.
Mikaere’s overview of Maori in New Zealand is highly readable. The book can be read from start to finish, or readers can flick straight to a section that is of interest. The photographs – both historical and current – add to the vivid presentation of Maori traditions. Mikaere is a well-respected historian who, in Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand, provides a well-written, appealing guide to an integral part of Aotearoa. Interesting and enjoyable!
REVIEWER: Dione Joseph
TITLE: Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand
AUTHOR(S): Buddy Mikaere
PUBLISHER: New Holland
RRP: $29.99