H. T. Whatahoro Books

The book presents a rich collection of Maori traditions as recounted by elders in the 1850s, capturing the cultural heritage and oral history of the Maori people. Published with an English translation between 1913 and 1915, it serves as a vital resource for understanding the customs, beliefs, and narratives that shape Maori identity and history. This work offers insights into the significance of oral storytelling in preserving cultural knowledge across generations.

The Maori texts in this 1913-15 publication were written down over fifty years earlier by W.H. Whatahoro, acting as scribe for senior Maori elders. Whatahoro himself assisted the retired government surveyor Stephenson Percy Smith (1840-1922) with the accompanying English translation. Volume 1 focuses on the gods and creation.