Poutini - The Ngāi Tahu History of the West Coast
Paul Madgwick
Māori have lived on Te Tai Poutini for at least as long as anywhere else on these
islands called New Zealand, bound by ancient stories and a unique affinity to
pounamu. So why is the Māori story so impoverished in a region so rich in
storytelling? — Paul Madgwick, from the Introduction
Poutini aims to correct this by recording the Ngāi Tahu history of the West Coast.
Esteemed kaumātua and ‘Coaster’ Paul Madgwick guides the reader through
early Poutini mythology, the discovery of pounamu, the story of settlement,
battles between iwi, life in the pā and contact with Europeans.
The book then explores the land sales and Māori reserves, through to the Ngāi
Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998. It is rounded off by a look at modern
challenges and opportunities, and topics such as the legacy of the World Wars.
Illustrated with beautiful images and extensive appendices, this is a landmark
publication bringing together a lifetime of expertise and research, with special
relevance to Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island).
The author
Paul Madgwick (Ngāti Mahaki, Ngāi Tahu) is an authority on the Māori history of
Te Tai Poutini. He is the chair of Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, an iwi representative
on the Westland District Council, and editor of the Greymouth Star newspaper. A
lifelong ‘Coaster’, Paul lives on Te Tai Poutini with his whānau.
Hardback with dustjacket, 250 x 185 mm portrait, 528 pp, colour