Thursday, February 10, 2011

WIREMU PERE - THE LIFE & TIMES OF A MAORI LEADER 1837-1915

Joseph Anaru Te Kani Pere & others
Libro International - $90
Jacketed hardback, 240 x 180 mm, 440 pp, includes foldout land deed and map

Wiremu Pere (Wi Pere) lived from 1837 to 1915, leading his tribes of Rongowhakaata and Te Aitanga a Mahaki through some of the most turbulent chapters of New Zealand history. He stood resolute against colonialism and entered parliament to stand up for his East Coast people, yet was astute in his business dealings and was compromised in the views of many Pakeha and Maori. This handsome book, illustrated with numerous photographs, whakapapa and maps, sets out the many sides Wi Pere’s life and times with a particular focus on his family life, parliamentary career and contributions to the East Coast.

• This handsome tome has been many years in the preparation; it is a rare biography of a 19th-century Maori leader

• It chronicles life and times of major East Coast figure recognised by thousands of modern descendants

• It is plentifully illustrated with photographs and maps

• The book contains extended whakapapa/genealogy charts for Wi Pere whanau

About the author:
Joseph Te Kani Pere, a great-grandson of Wi Pere, took over the writing of the book from earlier family members. A former teacher, he has a doctorate in English from the University of Waikato. After countless hours of research and writing, he has brought the work to completion with the support of the Wi Pere Trust.

Footnote:
As a youngster growing up in Gisborne in the 1950's the name Wi Pere was well-known to me. I often rode my bike past his handsome memorial on Reads Quay.

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