Nga Moteatea: The Songs: Part One

This classic text on Maori culture collects indigenous New Zealand songs recorded over a period of 40 years by a respected Maori leader and distinguished scholar. The essence of Maori culture and its musical tradition is exhibited in the original song texts, translations, audio CDs, and notes from contemporary scholars featured in this new edition. This rare cultural treasure makes accessible a fleeting moment in Maori history when traditional practices and limited experience with the outside world allowed indigenous songs and customs to flourish.

Author Biography Sir Apirana Ngata (Ngati Porou), 1874-1950, was a leading Maori figure, a land reformer, politician and scholar. He made a vital contribution to the revival of the Maori race in the early 20th century and is the subject of Ranginui Walker’s recent biography. Jeny Curnow and Jane McRae have edited the new edition of Nga Moteatea for the Polynesian Society.

Author Biography

Sir Apirana Ngata, Ngati Porou, 1874-1950, was the leading Maori figure of his day, a land reformer, politician and scholar. He made a vital contribution to the revival of the Maori people and culture in the early years of the twentieth century and is the subject of a recent biography by Ranginui Walker. Pei te Hurinui Jones, Ngati Maniapoto, 1898-1976, was an outstanding scholar who was completely bilingual. He published extensively in both English and Maori, translating Shakespeare’s plays and compiling the Tainui traditions published in Nga Iwi o Tainui.