Māori Place Names

Title: Māori Place Names: Their Meanings and Origins
Author: A.W. Reed
Editor: Peter Dowling
ISBN: 978-0-947506-08-7
RRP: $34.99
Specs: 210 x 148 mm portrait, PB, 152 pp, b&w
Published: 5 July 2016

The Book:
Pronounce and understand Māori place names with the new fourth edition of A.W. Reed’s classic guide to meanings and origins of names across New Zealand. From Ahaura to Whitianga, this handily sized book is the definitive guide to the most common and notable Māori names on our land.

Why do Whangarei, Tauranga, Motueka and Timaru have the names they do? Why all the fuss about the spelling of Whanganui and Rimutaka? What are the original names for Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin? Māori Place Names gives concise and clear answers, as well as taking in curiosities like the world’s longest place name (pictured).

The new Māori Place Names includes maps on the inside covers showing principal names, and also reproduces the illustrations from the original 1950 edition by renowned artist James Berry. For bookshelf, glove box or backpack, this is a must.