Kiwi Country: Rural New Zealand in 100 Objects

An entertaining history of rural life in Aotearoa, told through artefacts, gadgets and ephemera that tell a story that goes deeper than the objects themselves.

The most fun you’ll ever have learning about rural life in New Zealand. Told through a varied selection of items from the everyday (apples, Red Band gumboots, milk tankers and ride-on mowers) to the weird and wacky (Godfrey Bowen’s pink Long Johns, the Waimate White Horse and wartime tanks made from converted tractors) this book has something to make everyone laugh and to help anyone win the local pub quiz. Find out about historic times and places that shaped our nation and enjoy the nostalgia of looking back at past objects like the meat safe, the mangle and the classic Kiwi dunny. Told with Te Radar’s trademark laconic Kiwi humour, each story will surprise you as a picture builds that is so much more than the sum of the parts.

Author Biography

With a string of awards including the country’s highest accolades for television, comedy and writing, Te Radar is one of New Zealand’s most recognised entertainers. Despite growing up on a farm he’s also (unofficially) New Zealand’s worst television gardener. He continues to immerse himself in rural New Zealand, MCing events such as Fieldays and Young Farmer of the Year. His live comedy shows celebrate his love for the quirkier side of New Zealand history, and his TV career has seen him filming everywhere from Timor to Timbuctoo. For more see www.radarswebsite.com

Ruth Spencer has an MA in Theatre and Film Studies, somewhere. She has a professional performing background in theatre, stand-up comedy and circus cabaret. She sometimes sings in a glam rock band which is not relevant but sounds cool. Now a humour writer and researcher for print, television and live comedy, Ruth’s written work has appeared in Metro, North & South, Woman,The New Zealand Herald, and Sunday Star-Times. She’s looking forward to publishing her debut novel, which she will definitely start writing soon.