Fourth-generation New Zealanders, Diana and Jeremy Pope, after seeing the world on their OE, returned to New Zealand and wrote the sort of travel guides they would have liked to be able to buy. These struck an instant chord when they first appeared in 1973, and well over 200,000 copies later are regarded as one of New Zealand's greatest publishing successes. The Popes have now entirely rewritten their North Island volume, drawing on much new material. When they not travelling the country, Diana, who has a degree in history and a diploma in archaeology, is active as a photographer. For his part, Jeremy, a lawyer, is a New Zealand Human Rights Commissioner. Among the accolades that Diana and Jeremy have received is the Horwath Sir Jack Newman Award that recognises outstanding individual contributions to travel in New Zealand.

CONTENTS: Acknowledgements -- How to use this guide -- Some useful websites -- Key map -- INTRODUCTION: The Maori genesis -- The Maui cycle -- The coming of the Polynesian -- The evolution of Maori culture -- Some notes on traditional Maori society -- Some other aspects of traditional Maori life -- The European 'discoverers' -- Exploitation -- The Musket Wars -- Christian missionaries -- Annexation by Britain The Treaty of Waitangi -- In the wake of the Treaty -- The pattern of European settlement -- An overview of immigration -- Conflict over land -- The 'land-taking court' -- Towards a bi-cultural society -- Constitutional development -- Party politics -- Taking control of foreign relations -- Notes on place names -- Pronunciation of Maori words -- ALPHABETICAL SECTION: 173 cities, towns and localities of interest are arranged in alphabetical order -- GLOSSARY OF MAORI WORDS -- INDEX