NON FICTION BOOKS > Books about Aotearoa - NZ

In late 1942 Margaret Glenmore realises that daughter Joyce, who is doing a secretarial course, will probably be manpowered into a war job soon, when the age limit is dropped to 18. Her other daughter, Lillian, is coughing a lot and an x-ray has shown a spot on her lung. Lillian needs to live in a healthy environment with lots of good food. These factors combine to make Margaret decide to send the girls to live with their grandparents on a small dairy farm on the coast. Lillian's diary begins in 1943 when she and Joyce travel nor... read more

New Zealand was the last major landmass, other than Antarctica, to be settled by humans. The story of this rugged and dynamic land is beautifully narrated, from its origins in Gondwana some 80 million years ago to the twenty-first century. Philippa Mein Smith highlights the effects of the country's smallness and isolation, from its late settlement by Polynesian voyagers and colonisation by Europeans - and the exchanges that made these people Maori and Pakeha - to the dramatic struggles over land and recent efforts to manage global ... read more

Did you know that a New Zealander holds a world record for diving deepest underwater on a single breath of air?And that Kiwis have created the world’s longest chocolate bar?Or which tiny piece of paper is New Zealand’s most valuable?
The Book of New Zealand Records and Firsts is chock-a-block with fascinating stories about worldrecords and ‘firsts’ with a Kiwi connection. Read about the world’s fastest tap dancer, the longestnon-stop flight by a bird (eight days!), the steepest street in the worl... read more

An ancient land isolated by vast oceans, New Zealand is home to many fascinating creatures. From a prehistoric reptile to one of the world's largest insects, you'll discover some of the most unusual and impressive species on our planet. Featuring stunning illustrations and text by award-winning wildlife illustrator Sandra Morris, this book will double as the perfect reference for the home or school and as a beautiful gift book.

Kids are fascinated by dinosaurs, and love the idea of the fossils they have left behind. New Zealand has a rich fossil record which is accessible to the amateur fossil-hunter in locations around New Zealand, including shells and plant remains as well as the bones, teeth and other remnants of ancient reptiles, birds and fish. This handy pack-sized guide contains more than 30 accessible locations around the country where kids and their families can find fossils. Each location contains specific information on where to look and w... read more

This anthology of 16 stories was commissioned to mark the 2 April 2007 celebration of International Children's Book Day. Fifteen writers were invited to submit works for the book, and the majority of the stories have been written specifically for this project. The authors are drawn from New Zealand and around the Pacific, and these are stories of adventure, myth, mystery, history and legend, stories that reflect the diverse range of lives and lifestyles that the Pacific encompasses.

White Island is an accessible island volcano 49 km from the coast of the Bay of Plenty. It carries a Grade A classification of international scientific importance, and is New Zealand's most active volcano. This book features maps that locate the island in the Pacific Rim and chart its size and shape. Geographical detail is provided in fact boxes giving information about the composition of the volcano, the recorded activity and gas emissions. Also featured is a range of photographs, including underwater pictures depicting the marine... read more

The must have junior guide to survival in the New Zealand bush. Would you know what to do if you were lost in the bush? Sam loves the amazing bush, but he knows he's not to go into the bush alone. When Tuffy the dog escapes, though, Sam rushes in to save him ...and before long, Sam realizes he's lost! Suddenly, he remembers how dangerous the bush can be, especially when you're alone. He'll need to be careful if he is to stay safe until he is rescued. Bit by bit, Sam remembers all the rules for survival that Grandpa Tua has taught h... read more

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Now reprinted for a new generation, Peter Gossage's books bring these ancient maori stories to life. In this tale Maui wants to slow down the sun, who moves too quickly through the sky. With the help of his brothers he implements a plan to catch the sun with ropes and tie it to the earth.

Predators sets out to explore some of the more unsavoury elements of New Zealand’s environment. Designed with lots of pull-out boxes and quick to read information, and illustrated with diagrams and stunning photographs, the book looks at elements in the New Zealand environment that are not very savoury, and does it in an educational and interesting manner.Did you know that possums store food in their stomachs in layers, to aid digestionbChildren are fascinated by icky and gross things - and this funky book wi... read more

A book for families and tourists which is full of fun and free activities for families with children. The books include information on the history and geography of the area as well as the top activities and cool and interesting facts. Darryl and Gillian Torckler are both well-known authors and award-winning photographers.

Covers the creation of the New Zealand land mass and the arrival of the people that make up most of the population of today’s New Zealand, and looks at the effect this gathering of peoples has had on the land and on each other. The text is written to entertain as well as inform and the layout is rich in images. First published November 2005

Looks at the era of negotiation and settlement, from the Treaty of Waitangi to the land grabs, from votes for women and the discovery of gold, through to the establishment of a socialist state and the growth of local industry. Suggested level: secondary.

By the time Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, Pakeha New Zealanders thought their country had come a long way since becoming a British colony at Waitangi in 1840. “God’s Own Country” was what Premier ‘King Dick’ Seddon often called New Zealand. Over the next half century this young nation would be shaped and defined by the call to fight overseas, a period of dreams and disappointments between World... read more

This book tells the story of New Zealand's short but dramatic history. Beginning with the days when moa ruled the land, this book covers all the important events, key people and major themes of our history. It includes the arrival and settlement of the Maori, European explorers, missionaries, the Treaty of Waitangi, the gold rush and fighting both in and ouside New Zealand. It also takes a thematic approach where appropriate - looking at the role of government and the way our daily lives have changed over time. Marcia Stenson's... read more

Features art by contemporary painters and printmakers, who are seasoned travellers across time and space.

"New Zealand is an adventurous country...we have forests and rocky beaches. We have earthquakes and volcanoes, and pools of boiling mud and we also have the All Blacks. Earthquakes, boiling mud and rugby players! Who could wish for more?" With one of the world's most successful children's authors joining forces with an award-winning cartoonist, our history has never been more compelling, more engaging or more smirk-inducing. A fact-filled and delightful look at our country. Whoever said our history was boring?

Maori life and culture from the beginning with photos, maps, illustrations. Paperback (Large Format)