ToiaTalks inaugural guest, Dr Scott Hamilton book launch

Christine O'Brien November 15

Our #ToiaTalks inaugural guest, Dr Scott Hamilton, will launch his new book on the stolen slaves from the Tongan island of 'Ata and the Pacific slave trade next week at Auckland Central Library - all welcome!! The launch will be attended by Masalu Halahala, a descendant of one of the first settlers of 'Ata and a leader of the 'Atan community today. In 1863 Tasmanian and New Zealand slavers raided 'Ata and stole nearly 150 people. The abducted islanders never saw their homeland again, and their fate has been the subject of many stories and superstitions. Scott's book *The Stolen Island* (BWB) is an investigation into the tragedy of 'Ata, and a look at what the Pacific slave trade that thrived in the nineteenth century means today. Moving between Auckland and Tonga and Vanuatu, and between library archives and kava circles, Hamilton listens to stories and songs and uncovers forgotten documents. Hamilton wrote *The Stolen Island* with the help of the D'Arcy Writers' Residency on Waiheke Island; Residency director Gordon McLauchlan will speak at the launch. A slideshow of images from 'Ata will be displayed, and copies of some of the documents Hamilton has uncovered will be available.