Witi Ihimaera Books

The memoir delves into the life of a young Maori writer in 1972, capturing his journey as he prepares for his debut publication while grappling with his identity and heritage. It reveals the struggles of a native son seeking acceptance and a voice in a predominantly Pakeha world, alongside personal challenges like love and self-discovery. This sequel to the acclaimed first volume chronicles his experiences in education, relationships, and his evolution into New Zealand's first Maori novelist, offering a rich and powerful narrative.

Sixty-eight writers and eight artists gather at a hui in a magnificent cave-like dwelling or meeting house. In the middle is a table, the tepu korero, from which the rangatira speak; they converse with honoured guests, and their rangatira-korero embody the tahuhu, the over-arching horizontal ridge pole, of the shelter. In a series of rich conversations, those present discuss our world in the second decade of this century; they look at decolonisation, indigeneity, climate change . . . this is what they see. Edited by Witi Ihimaera and Michelle Elvy, this fresh, exciting anthology features poetry, short fiction and creative non-fiction, as well as korero or conversations between writers and work by local and international artists. The lineup from Aoteraoa includes, among others, Alison Wong, Paula Morris, Anne Salmond, Tina Makereti, Ben Brown, David Eggleton, Cilla McQueen, Hinemoana Baker, Erik Kennedy, Ian Wedde, Nina Mingya Powles, Gregory O' Brien, Vincent O' Sullivan, Patricia Grace, Selina Tusitala Marsh and Whiti Hereaka. Guest writers from overseas include Aparecida Vilaç a, Jose-Luis Novo and Ru Freeman.

A living land of wonder, a shimmering, restless sea, a sky of endless promise. Beautiful North Island of New Zealand contains text by Witi Ihimaera and photographs by Holger Leue. All of New Zealand's most famous landmarks are represented in this book; the Auckland Harbour Bridge, The Sky Tower, Cathedral Square, As well as more unusual images of people and places.

Kahu, an eight-year-old girl, yearns for her great-grandfather's love while grappling with the expectations of her Maori tribe in Whangara, New Zealand. As the first female in generations, she faces the challenge of being overlooked for the role of chief due to tradition. However, her unique ability to communicate with whales, inherited from the legendary whale rider, empowers her. With this gift, Kahu seeks to connect her tribe with their ancestry and prove her worth, ultimately striving to change the future of her people.

Set against the backdrop of New Zealand's East Coast, the narrative revolves around two rival patriarchs vying for the title of Bulibasha, the King of the Gypsies. Their intense struggle highlights themes of power, identity, and cultural heritage, as they navigate personal and communal challenges in their quest for dominance. The story delves into the complexities of leadership and the bonds of family within the unique context of the Gypsy community.

First published in 1972, Pounamu Pounamu introduced an exciting new voice into New Zealand literature. Most of Witi Ihimaera's stories, based on the East Coast, describe a traditional rural, communal way of life facing huge pressures from the drift by many Maori to the cities. This was to be a constant theme in Ihimaera's future writing.

David Munro has everything a man could wish for - a beautiful wife, two adoring daughters, a top academic position, and a circle of devoted friends. But he also has another life - lived mainly at night and frequently in what he comes to know as 'The Gardens of Spain', the places where gay and bisexual men meet. Now he must choose which of his two lives to follow... This landmark book from one of New Zealand's most highly regarded authors explores the precarious divide between sexuality and social mores. It examines the dilemmas of contemporary gay culture with anger, laughter, sensitivity, and honesty.

"A wonderfully surprising, inventive and deeply moving riff on fact and fiction, history and imagination from one of New Zealand's finest and most memorable storytellers. /b>here has never been a New Zealand novel quite like The Parihaka Woman. Richly imaginative and original, weaving together fact and fiction, it sets the remarkable story of Erenora against the historical background of the turbulent and compelling events that occurred in Parihaka during the 1870s and 1880s. Parihaka is the place Erenora calls home, a peaceful Taranaki settlement overcome by war and land confiscation. As her world is threatened, Erenora must find within herself the strength, courage and ingenuity to protect those whom she loves. And, like a Shakespearean heroine, she must change herself before she can take up her greatest challenge and save her exiled husband, Horitana."