To the Memory: New Zealand’s War Memorials, by Jock Phillips (Potton and Burton, RRP $60): Leading New Zealand historian Jock Phillips spend three decades researching his latest book, To the Memory, an affectionate and respectful catalogue of the war memorials around New Zealand. Published in mid-April, in time to take advantage of the patriotism...
Ulva Island: A Visitor’s Guide, by Ulva Goodwillie (Craig Print, RRP $39): There’s no doubt we live in a beautiful part of the world, but even a born-and-bred Southlander like me can be taken aback at times by just how beautiful it is. Drive for 20 minutes or so in any direction and you’ll...
Wild About New Zealand: A Guide to our National Parks, by Gus Roxburgh with Matt Philip and Peter Hayden; photographs by Jason Hosking (Random House NZ, RRP $55): This comprehensive guide is based on the Natural History New Zealand-produced TV series of the same name, that was made to celebrate the 125th anniversary of...
Explore New Zealand: 101 Must-Do’s for Kiwis, compiled by AA (Random House NZ, RRP $45): The school holidays are now all but over, with the young ‘uns heading back to class on Monday, so maybe it’s time to start some pro-active planning for the next break. And with that next break being the biggie...
Landscape Paintings of New Zealand: A Journey from North to South, by Christopher Johnstone (Random House, RRP $75): Seven years after first being published, this expanded and revised edition was back in the bookstores just in time for an appearance under last year’s Christmas tree, and this year it’s still a fine option for...
Our New Zealand, by Sarah Ell and Nicola Legat (Random House NZ, RRP $50): It’s getting to that time of the year when you are perhaps thinking about Christmas gifts for family and friends overseas, and you’d be hard pressed to find something that represents better value that this book. Published last year but...
A Short History of New Zealand, by Gordon McLauchlan (Bateman, RRP $30): Being a relatively young nation, our history is naturally a tad shorter that that of some of the other countries on this planet but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a story worth telling. In this new edition of the best-selling Short History...
Coast A New Zealand Journey, by Bruce Ansley and Jane Ussher (Godwit, RRP $75): Kiwi writer Bruce Ansley has followed up his tribute to the legendary Mesopotamia high country station with another collaborative celebration of New Zealand’s beauty. This time Ansley has teamed up with photographer Jane Ussher to the the story of our...
Stop the Train! I Want to Get On! by Graham Hutchins (Exisle, RRP $50): As a boy in the railway town of Te Kuiti, Graham Hutchins spent many hours watching the trains thundering through the town, fascinated by the machines. There’s something special about train travel and train enthusiasts then to be quite passionate about...
Civilisation: Twenty Places on the Edge of the World, by Steve Braunias (Awa Press, RRP $36): Steve Braunias is a master of biting satire, so if you are looking for a friendly little travelogue highlighting the awesomeness of various locale, you might you might want to look elsewhere. However, if you want a read...
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