Table of Contents

He kupu whakataki
Introduction 9
01/ Nga whakamaramatanga
Use and meaning 15
02/ Nga momo me nga ahua
Types and shapes 27
03/ Te putakenga mai
Physical origins 49
04/ Nga korero kairangi
Exalted histories 93
05/ Nga tohu a-iwi
Tribal styles 117
06/ Nga tai whakaawe
External versus local influence 139
07/ Ka whiti ka pumau, 1750-1900
Change and continuity, 1750-1900 153
08/ Te whanako toi taketake, nga tau 1890-inaianei
Cultural appropriation, 1890s-present 185
09/ Te hei tiki me te Maori, 1900-inaianei
Maori and hei tiki, 1900-present 199
He kupu whakakapi
Epilogue 258
Appendices, Notes, Glossary, Select bibliography,
Image credits, Acknowledgements, Index 263

Promotional Information

* For all those interested in these remarkable and iconic taonga.
* There has not been a book on hei tiki since the late 1950s although there have been books on pounamu (New Zealand jade or greenstone).
* The author is the acknowledged New Zealand expert on hei tiki.
* The ideal gift.
* Steeped in scholarship but very accessible in tone.
* Handsomely designed.
* Richly illustrated.

About the Author

Dougal Austin (Kati Mamoe, Kai Tahu, Waitaha) is Senior Curator Matauranga Maori at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He has a particular research interest in the origins, development, cultural use and significance of hei tiki. His current work has included a tour of the Kura Pounamu exhibition in China.

Reviews

Selected as one of the Best Books of the Year by a panel of NZ Listener reviewers: 'A welcome, some would say long-overdue, insight into the history, mystery, meaning and manufacture of the varied forms and features of our most ubiquitous Maori motif by Te Papa curator Dougal Austin, supported by a stunning gallery of photographed hei tiki.'; 'This well-researched and well-written book discussed their value and status as taonga; their use and meaning; their various types and shapes; and their rich history ... adds a brilliant series of photographs showing the making of a hei tiki by hand ...' - Art News; 'Lavishly illustrated, with many of the hei tiki pictured in larger-than-life-size, full-page glory, the book has some claim to being described as a taonga in its own right.' - North & South.