In 1991, Robyn (left) and Brian Bargh established HUIA Publishers in
Wellington with the aim to produce quality books describing the diverse range
of Māori perspectives - telling stories that no-one else was telling and saying
the things that were not being said.
HUIA Publishers celebrates their 21st year in business last evening in Wellington with the launch of two new titles - 'Huia Histories of
Māori' edited by Danny Keenan and 'Ngā Waituhi o Rēhua' by the late Katerina Te
Heikōkō Mataira.
'Huia Histories of Māori' is a comprehensive history of
Aotearoa New Zealand written entirely from Māori viewpoints using Māori
customary structures. The book takes a fresh look at what Māori history is and
how it is different from that previously portrayed. As a postcolonial history,
it provides a range of fresh views on events in the past.
Written by sixteen Māori scholars, all specialists in their
fields, and edited by Danny Keenan the book covers histories of descent, the
land, people, and autonomy and includes writing on customary law, ancestral
law, the natural world, Māori urban protest, customary language, health,
politics and cultural expression.
"The 'Huia Histories of Māori' exemplifies what we set out
to do in 1991" says managing director Robyn Bargh. "In this
collection, Māori are not just telling the stories but devising the framework
for the stories to sit within".
The second book, 'Nga Waituhi o Rēhua', is a science fantasy
novel in te reo Māori and follows four teenagers living on Rēhua, a planet
settled after Earth is destroyed by ecological disasters and global war. The
four raise hōkio, giant mystical birds, which take them on flights to explore
their new world.
"'Ngā Waituhi o Rēhua' is a landmark and provides a model
for all writers of Māori" says Robyn. "It is an exemplar of Māori
literature, a science fantasy book in Māori. It has excellent, enjoyable,
readable Māori language using Māori literary forms – karanga, karakia, waiata,
etc, and credible Māori characters who are implementing tikanga Māori in an
imaginary futuristic context."
"The book is a huge achievement and stands as a beacon of
hope for Māori language publishing."
And so what about the next 21 years? "There
is lots to do." says Robyn. "I think we need to focus particularly on
Māori language publishing. We need more Māori writers, producing books in
excellent Māori in a range of genre – fiction and non-fiction. I think we need
a collective vision, we need to imagine a library, a room full of books in te
reo Māori ... then we will know we really have achieved something for the world
to savour."
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