Living Among the Northland Maori

Discover the fascinating history of early European settlement in Aotearoa with 'Living Among the Northland Maori.' This captivating hardback book features the translated diaries of Father Antoine Garin, a French Marist priest who immersed himself in Maori life from 1844 to 1846 at the remote Mangakahia mission station. Through Garin's eyes, readers gain invaluable insights into Maori culture, social structure, and the critical events surrounding the Northern War. This comprehensive account sheds light on prominent Maori leaders like Hone Heke and Kawiti, offering a nuanced perspective on their resistance against colonial forces. The 620-page book is beautifully bound, with dimensions of 190 x 258 mm, making it a perfect addition to any history enthusiast's collection. Garin's candid, often humorous reflections on his relationships with local Maori families and chiefs illustrate the complexities of cultural exchange in a transformative period. Dive into this essential English translation of his journals and letters, and enrich your understanding of Maori customs, values, and the intricacies of early colonial life in New Zealand. 'Living Among the Northland Maori' is not just a book; it's a gateway to understanding a pivotal era in New Zealand’s history through the lens of someone who truly lived among the Northland Maori.

Authors: Peter Tremewan, Giselle Larcombe Publisher: Canterbury University Press
Bind: hardback
Dimensions: 190 x 258 mm
Pages: 620
Publication Date: 29-03-2019

A French Marist priest, Father Antoine Garin was sent to run the remote Mangakahia mission station on the banks of the Wairoa River. Living Among the Northland M?ori is Garin’s diary recording his experiences from 1844 to 1846 as he gets to know the M?ori in the region. The diary provides vivid accounts of contemporary events, as Garin came dangerously close to the action of the Northern War, and wrote of such prominent figures as H?ne Heke and Kawiti as they opposed the new colonial authorities. Above all, the diary is an intimate record of life in a M?ori community in which Garin describes the close relationships he formed with his new neighbours - from his young followers and local families to the chiefs who offered him protection while he lived among them. This is the first full English translation of Garin’s surviving Mangak?hia journals and letters. Frank, open-minded and often humorous, Garin’s diary is a major contribution to the early history of European settlement in Aotearoa and a compelling insight into M?ori customs, values and beliefs of the time.