New Book of Màori Writing Launched

3 November 2004

New Book of Màori Writing Launched

The writings of four generations of the Maaka whànau spanning over 120 years are featured in Bradford Haami's new book Pþtea Whakairo: Màori and the Written Word launched today at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

The book was written while Mr Haami was the Fellow in Màori History at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and is published by Huia Publishers.
"Brad has drawn on his grandfather's collection of personal documents which include letters, diaries, whakapapa, waiata, minutes of hui - a diverse range of material written in Màori," says Bronwyn Dalley, Chief Historian at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

"Pþtea Whakairo is an important resource for his iwi, and in the preservation of Màori language and history."

The book offers advice on preserving precious family documents and shows the importance of safeguarding them for future generations.

The Fellowship in Maori History provides researchers with an opportunity to produce accessible, scholarly Maori history for a wide audience. Projects focus on histories of state activity, war history, and other historical topics of national significance.

The current Fellow is Monty Soutar, who is working on the history of C Company of 28 Màori Battlion, which fought with distinction during the Second World War.

ENDS

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