"Riding the wall : surfing pioneers of Taranaki"
By Murray Laird
"For those who were part of the 60's this was a blissful ride, an era when surfing took root and blossomed in New Zealand, exploding in numbers from 300 participants in 1963 to 15, 000 in 1967...and their memories still live on." From back cover.
Murray was the recipient of the 2006 NZ Science Mathematics and Technology Teacher fellowship. Murray was hosted by the Taranaki Research Centre during the course of his fellowship. Details of his research can be found here.
"Real Gold : treasures of the Auckland City Libraries" Text by Iain Sharpe and photographs by Haruhiko Sameshima
"These pages clebrate the rich variety and depth of the Special Collections of the Auckland City Libraries. Little known by the general public, these amazing collections are full of rare, valuable and wonderful items.
One hundred treasures are featured, each pictured in full colour with an accompanying text written by Iain Sharp and grouped in sections such as Auckland, New Zealand, book arts, travel, literature, science. Among the treasure shown are a First Folio of Shakespeare, a six page catechism, - the first work printed in New Zealand, medievel illuminated manuscripts, maps and sketches of early Auckland, avant-garde private press productions, Maori-language manuscripts, Isaac Newton's Opticks, letters from Florence Nightingale to George Grey, the records of Limbs Dance Company and Mercury Theatre. At the heart of the collection is the Sir George Grey donation, which was the foundation of the library in 1887; an iconic item from the Grey manuscripts, for example, is the score and lyrics of "God Defend New Zealand'. The lively and informative text and the stunning pictures majke this book a treasure in itself." From inside front cover.
"The wild green yonder : ten seasons volunteering on New Zealand's organic farms"
Itching for a change , and keen to do her bit for the environment, city girl Philippa Jamieson quits her cosy job in Dunedin to travel around New Zealand on the WWOOF scheme (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms). Over the course of two-and-a half years she volunteers at 40 locations - orchards, market gardens, livestock farms, communes - many of which truly lie in the wild yonder, where the very soil seems to vibrate with good microbes and the nights are enlivened by starry skies over house-truck lodgings. This is the record of her journey. Along the way Philipa meets a bevy of diverse characters: the irrepressible farm host who's built his own coffin - with a limerick for an epitaph; Green Party co-leader Jeannette Fitzsimons, an advocate of biodynamic preparations and many more, not forgetting Thelma the frisky goat.
Some of our unsung heroes can be found in these pages: forward-thinking Kiwis who, devoted to the organic ideal, are quietly working away in their corners of the counrty producing healthy food without toxins, saving heirloom crop varieties, planting trees, practicing self sufficiency and improving the soil for the next generation.
Informative, entertaining and affectionate, the Wild Green Yonder offers inspiration to anyone with a yen for life's positive alternatives as well as a unique view on where organic farming is at in New Zealand today. From back cover.
"Trainland : how railways made New Zealand" by Neill Atkinson
"Neill Atkinson explores New Zealand's rail history from the pioneering days when railways opened up the country; through the long 'golden age' when rail was central to daily life; and its last half century of struggle in the face of road and air competition. He ends by posing the question of whether, in these days of rising fuel prices and global warming, a rail renaissance may be just around the corner. Fully illustrated with many wonderful photographs, ephemera and art works, Trainland: How railways made New Zealand is an accesible and entertaing celebration of New Zealand." From back cover.
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