Te Hao Nui, The Great Catch - Object Stories from Te Manawa Museum

Godwit, published by Random House, Auckland, 2011. Multiple inscriptions on front endpaper, otherwise good secondhand copy.

Museum collections are a treasure trove of objects, each with the capacity to tell a compelling story or stories. Many objects in Te Manawa's collection speak of a deep curiosity for the world 'out there and beyond', while others evoke an intense sense of belonging to the Manawatu. Significant insight about both local communities, and the broader national story, can be gleaned from objects such as a fragile kahu kiwi; a sleek handmade wooden kayak; the clumsy industrial design of an early portable computer; a simple child's Christmas stocking; and the elaborate weaving in a Samoan 'ie sina. Bringing together 35 writers, including leading historians, curators, and Maori scholars, and complemented by specially commissioned photography as well as historical photographs, Te Hao Nui brings the objects found on its pages to life, telling us about what it means to be a New Zealander.