Fiction Books
Sometimes, it's easier to get a message through a story rather than through direct facts. Witi Ihimaera's books are awesome for this, as many are fictional interpretations or historical events such as Parihaka or the New Zealand Wars.
By Witi Ihimaera
Richly imaginative and original, weaving together fact and fiction, this book sets the remarkable story of Erenora against the historical background of the turbulent and compelling events that occurred in Parihaka during the 1870s and 1880s.
By Witi Ihimaera and Hēmi Kelly
Both fiction and fact, this fascinating book is a kaleidoscopic exploration of the Battle of Orakau. During three days in 1864, 300 Maori men, women and children fought an Imperial army and captured the imagination of the world. The battle resulted in vast tracts of land being confiscated for European settlement.
By Angie Thomas
Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
By Tina Makereti
From the Chatham Islands/Rēkohu to London, the 21st century to 1835, this novel confronts the complexity of being Moriori, Māori and Pākehā, as they they grapple with a legacy of pacifism, violent domination and cross-cultural dilemmas