Rotorua celebrates the relaunch of history of Arawa people

Rotorua celebrates the relaunch of epic history of Arawa people

Rotorua will this week celebrate the relaunch of one of the most important books to emerge from the city – the late Don Stafford’s Te Arawa: A History of the ArawaPeople.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick will join Te Arawa representatives, the Stafford family, Professor Paora Tapsell, McLeods Booksellers, publishers Oratia Books and invited guests in the launch at the Rotorua Museum on Wednesday 24 August.

This epic history tells the story of Te Arawa from the iwi’s origins in the South Pacific until European contact. Before the new edition’s official publication on Thursday 25 August, the book will be blessed at the launch, and tributes paid to Te Arawa tūpuna, and to the author.

Stafford, known as ‘Mr Rotorua’ for his lifelong commitment to the history of the city and region, has a wing of the Rotorua Museum named in his honour.

First published in 1967, the monumental work of scholarship is considered Stafford’s ‘definitive work’, and one of the great tribal histories of New Zealand. The 616-page jacketed hardback is also an impressive artefact. The new edition includes photographic pages, extensive whakapapa and a foreword by Te Arawa descendant PaoraTapsell, Professor of Māori Studies at the University of Otago.

Paora Tapsell commented: “Nearly 50 years on from its first publication, Te Arawa remains as relevant as ever to descendants of the iwi and students of New Zealand history.”

Te Arawa: A History of the Arawa People
By Don Stafford
Published by Oratia Books
Hardback, $95.00

About the author:
Don Stafford (1927–2010) was an historian and writer who dedicated his life and work to Rotorua and its environs. Fluent in te Reo Māori, Don travelled on foot to every corner of Te Arawa’s rohe, and played a significant role in preservation of historical sites and objects. He was Rotorua’s official historian, and received honours including an MBE, CBE and honorary doctorate.

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