‘Awe-inspiring collective wisdom and a snapshot into the current state of Maori leadership’ – this extraordinary book of interviews and photographs enriches our understanding of what it means to be a leader. In 2017 a group of rangatahi came together with the kaupapa of making a contribution to their communities. Their path led to an exploration of Maori leadership – its origins and values, and the life experiences that nurture rangatiratanga across nga rohe, iwi and hapu. And so Te Kai a te Rangatira came to be.

A collective of rangatahi conducted in-depth interviews with more than 100 Ma ori leaders spanning the length and breadth of Aotearoa. Some are known best within their rohe; others will be familiar across the motu.

James Te Wharehuia Milroy, Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Che Wilson, Moana Jackson, Tipene O’Regan, Tina Ngata, Derek Lardelli, Patricia Grace, Annette Sykes – these and many more kaikorero have contributed. The result is a collective wisdom with powerful potential for the generations to come. In November 2020, Te Kai a te Rangatira finds expression in a landmark book, with text in both Te Reo Maori and English accompanied by superb portrait photography.

Inspiring, informative, challenging, warm, humorous and engaging – this is an exceptional book. Created by rangatahi first of all for rangatahi, it is also for everyone who cares about the people of this country.

Author description:
About the editors: The editors of Te Kai a te Rangatira are Rawiri J. Tapiata, Renee Smith and Marcus Akuhata-Brown. Surrounding these editors is a much larger group of volunteer rangatahi, who have come together with different skills and from different backgrounds, to contribute to this book and the wider kaupapa. This collective is working in a co-publication arrangement with Bridget Williams Books, to publish and distribute.