Author(s): Witi Ihimaera

NZ Fiction

Classic Ihimaera. First published by Reed in 1972, it collects stories about Maori within settings that are Maori and with characters who are central to that setting  heroes, heroines and villains  rather than supporting players or sidekicks. These stories introduce the themes of aroha, whanaungatanga and manaakitanga  love, acknowledging kin and tribal relationships, and supporting Maori identity  that run through much of IhimaeraÂs later work. This new edition of Pounamu Pounamu includes two stories that have been rewritten for IHIMAERA His Best Stories (Reed 2003), and an explanation by Ihimaera of the reasons for this rewriting.