Mata Toa: The Life and Times of Ranginui Walker

Author, biographer, historian, academic, commentator, rangatira, activist, leader . . .

Professor Ranginui Walker has been in the headlines for decades, ever since the beginnings of the Maori political and cultural renaissance in the 1970s. Walker is one of the few Maori leaders to assume the responsibility of crossing the cultural divide and making the Maori world intelligible to Pakeha. Articulate and forthright, he has a major influence on how Pakeha view Maori in the twenty-first century. He has also led many of the debates and developments among Maoridom. His numerous books include the bestselling Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou: Struggle Without End and He Tipua, his highly acclaimed biography of Sir Apirana Ngata.
 
Paul Spoonley's fascinating book is in part a biography of one of New Zealand's most significant social commentators and also a social/political commentary of the huge changes in the position of Maori in modern New Zealand.