Purakau: Maori Myths Retold by Maori Writers

A lively, stimulating and engaging retelling of purakau - Maori Myths - by contemporary Maori writers. Ka mua, ka mrui Ancient Maori creation myths, portrayals of larger-than-life heroes and tales of engrossing magical beings have endured through the ages. Some hail back to Hawaiki, some are firmly grounded in New Zealand and its landscape. Through countless generations, the stories haven been reshaped and passed on. This new collection presents a wide range of traditional myths that have been retold by some of our best Maori wordsmiths. The writers have added their own creativity, perspectives and sometimes wonderfully unexpected twists, bringing new life and energy to these rich, spellbinding and significant taonga. Take a fresh look at Papatuanuku, a wild ride with Maui, or have a creepy encounter with Ruruhi-Kerepo, for these and many more mythical figures await you. Explore the past, from it shape the future ... The contributors are: Jacqueline Carter, David Geary, Patricia Grace, Briar Grace-Smith, Whiti Hereaka, Keri Hulme, Witi Ihimaera, Kelly Joseph, Hemi Kelly, Nic Low, Tina Makereti, Kelly Ana Morey, Paula Morris, Frazer Rangihuna, Renee, Robert Sullivan, Apirana Taylor, Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, Clayton Te Kohe, Hone Tuwhare, Briar Wood

Author: Whiti Hereaka
Publisher: Penguin Random House New Zealand Limited
Published: 05/07/2019
Pages: 400
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.00w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9780143772965

About the Author
Whiti Hereaka is of Ngati Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa. She is a playwright, screenwriter, novelist and a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing (Scriptwriting) from the International Institute of Modern Letters, Victoria University. She has had several plays produced and has won Best New Play by a Maori Playwright at the Adam Play Awards in both 2010 and 2011 and won the adults and her first, The Graphologist's Apprentice, was shortlisted for Best First Book in the 2011 Commonwealth Writers' Prize Asia and Pacific.