Nick-named "The Napoleon of the South, the Maori chief Te Rauparaha, of the Ngati Toa tribe led a campaign of conquest over Ngai Tahu throughout the South Island in the early 1800s. He later used a surprising range of diplomatic skills to make peace with his former tribal enemies and the colonists that encroached upon Maori traditions with their hunger for land. This record of Te Rauparaha’s life was compiled by the renowned journalist and historian Lindsay Buick, and stands as one of New Zealand’s classic histories.
Excerpt: Almost immediately after the close of the war, Lieutenant-Governor Eyre and the Rev. Richard Taylor penetrated through the bush and swamps which surrounded Poroutawhao and met the chief in the very heart of his stronghold. He was then, says Mr. Taylor, an old man with a head as white as the top of Tongariro, and a spirit somewhat resembling that active volcano, always fuming. His white hair strongly contrasted with his bronzed features and highly tattooed countenance.
388 pages, A5 format, Illustrated.
Excerpt: Almost immediately after the close of the war, Lieutenant-Governor Eyre and the Rev. Richard Taylor penetrated through the bush and swamps which surrounded Poroutawhao and met the chief in the very heart of his stronghold. He was then, says Mr. Taylor, an old man with a head as white as the top of Tongariro, and a spirit somewhat resembling that active volcano, always fuming. His white hair strongly contrasted with his bronzed features and highly tattooed countenance.
388 pages, A5 format, Illustrated.