Otiwhiti Station book launch

Otiwhiti Station - Author: The Duncan Family

RRP: $49.99 - Random House New Zealand

Yesterday, 13 November, the Duncans, owners of the station“threw open” the gate and welcomed the public as well as the wider family and former staff and patients to join them for afternoon tea at the Otairi Homestead to share in the book launch celebrations. Renowned locally as a family who don’t do things by halves, the Duncans’ would have been delighted that so many came for this special community event.

Here is Random House Publisher Nicola Legat's report on the launch:

As my little car took me further and further into the rugged Rangitikei back country I realised just how remote the station is and what big, difficult country this is. (If you’re ever down that way and like back-road travel as much as I do, then do take this road. It’s called Ongo Road and it heads inland from Hunterville and pops you out on the back road from the King Country to Waiouru).

At the charming, rambling old house a big marquee had been set up on the lawn, and at 1.30 utes and 4WDs started parking in the paddock, delivering 450 people to the event. The Rangitikei Pipe band marched in through the stand of grand old trees to kick the festivities off. 

As you might expect, the crowd was strongly farming folk, with lots of handsome chaps in RM Williams boots, moleskin trousers, check shirts and Driz-a-bones.

But there were also many former Duncan Hospital polo patients, who had travelled great distances to attend, and it was most affecting to hear the stories of the great suffering they’d experienced as the result of this cruellest of diseases. It’s a disease we don’t think of anymore—and it’s one we would never want to have back again. The Duncan Trust work in this area continues, as it now supports polio victims in their 50s and 60s who are suffering from post-polio syndrome and who are often having to go back to wearing callipers or who now have to be in wheelchairs.

The Hunterville book store sold an incredible 350 books. There was masses of fabulous food cooked by a big team of local women, and lots of very delighted people.

I felt really proud that we’ve published this book and told this very significant story.

Nicky Legat, Publishing Director, Random House

Thanks Nicky, sounds like it was a  special day.