Decolonisation Books
These books highlight the way colonisation has oppressed Māori, their whenua, tikanga and reo, and how we can work towards healing that. Many of them are from Bridget Williams Books, an amazing New Zealand publisher. You could also check out the Spinoff reading list Read Our Words, watch Aunty Tina's Anti Racism Reading Nook, or join reading groups such as He Hōmiromiro (STIRNZ) and Kei te pai Press.
Edited by Selwyn Katene and Rawiri Taonui
A sharp assessment of how New Zealand is meeting its obligations under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, this book reflects on the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and examines its relevance in New Zealand.
Edited by Tapu Misa and Gary Wilson
Māori, Pasifika and Pākehā writers grapple with topics that range from politics and social issues to history and popular culture.
Edited by Jessica Hutchings and Jenny Lee-Morgan
This book examines decolonisation and Māori education in Aotearoa New Zealand in ways that seeks to challenge, unsettle and provoke for change, drawing together leading Māori writers and intellectuals on topics that are at the heart of a decolonising education agenda.
By various authors (published by BWB)
This book seeks to demystify decolonisation using illuminating, real-life examples. By exploring the impact of colonisation on Māori and non-Māori alike, Imagining Decolonisation presents a transformative vision of a country that is fairer for all.
By Ranginui Walker
History of Aotearoa, New Zealand, for the first time from a Māori perspective. Looking at the way Māori have been involved in an endless struggle for justice, equality and self-determination. The title is taken from the famous response by Māori defenders at Ōrākau in the New Zealand wars, stating that they would never surrender.
Commisioned by Kuia and Kaumātua of Ngāpuhi
An independent report about He Wakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (1835) & Te Tiriti o Waitangi (1840). It summarises and assesses the Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu evidence given at the Initial Hearing of their Waitangi Tribunal claim.
By Vincent O'Malley
The New Zealand Wars were a series of conflicts that profoundly shaped the course and direction of our nation’s history. They are an integral part of the New Zealand story but we have not always cared to remember or acknowledge them.
By Melani Anae
In a book that is both deeply personal and highly political, Melani Anae recalls the radical activism of Auckland’s Polynesian Panthers. In solidarity with the US Black Panther Party, the Polynesian Panthers was founded in response to the racist treatment of Pacific Islanders in the era of the Dawn Raids.
By Allison Jones
A timely and perceptive memoir from author and academic Alison Jones. As questions of identity come to the fore once more in New Zealand, this frank and humane account of a life spent traversing Pākehā and Māori worlds offers important insights into our shared life on these islands.
By Anne Milne
Describes the 25 year journey of two schools and their community’s determination to resist and reject alienating school environments in favour of a relevant culturally-located, bilingual learning model based in a secure cultural identity, stable positive relationships, and aroha.
By Linda Tuhiwai Smith
This essential volume explores intersections of imperialism and research. Concepts such as 'discovery' and 'claiming' are discussed in this book, and an argument presented that the decolonisation of research methods will help to reclaim control over indigenous ways of knowing and being.
By Tina Ngata
A compilation of critical essays written about New Zealand's TUIA 250 Commemorations of James Cook's voyages to New Zealand and the Pacific, and the impact they have on Māori and the wider struggle against colonialism.
By Donna Awatere
A powerful argument about the costs to Māori of cultural imperialism and the importance of indigenous peoples recovering their own cultures.
By Melani Anae, Leilani Tamu, and Lautofa Iuli
This book records the Pacific rights and social activist movement in New Zealand, told by those who were there. They sought to raise consciousness and took action in response to the racism and discrimination Pacific peoples faced in New Zealand.
By Ross Calman, Mark Derby and Toby Morris
This graphic novel provides a fresh approach to the story of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. It covers a wide time span, from the arrival of Polynesian explorers to the signing of Te Tiriti, to the New Zealand Wars, and through to the modern-day Treaty settlement process.
By Claudia Orange
Claudia Orange’s writing on the Treaty has contributed to New Zealanders’ understanding of this history for over thirty years. In this new edition of her popular illustrated history, Dr Orange brings the narrative of Te Tiriti up to date, covering major developments in iwi claims and Treaty settlements.
By Alice Te Punga Somerville
'There was never a single beginning point for the history of this place'.
Alice Te Punga Somerville employs her deep research and dark humour to skilfully channel her response to Cook’s global colonial legacy in this revealing and defiant BWB Text.
By Jen Margaret
Non-indigenous supporters of indigenous justice in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand discuss their practice. They reflect on what led them to become involved in indigenous justice issues, what informs their approach and how they know if their work is useful.