
Maori Tales nā Johannes C. Andersen i tuhituhi; nā A. H. Messenger kā whakaahua. Auckland, N.Z.: Whitcombe & Tombs, 1924
These books, from a slightly later period, are further removed from the original oral traditions with a corresponding loss of context, detail and meaning. In some cases, we don’t even know who wrote or illustrated the books, let alone know the sources.
Artist A.H. Messenger (1877-1962), born and raised in Taranaki, is said to have been a childhood friend of Māui Pōmare and may be the only person represented here who had much meaningful contact with Māori society. This paints a picture of a rather one-sided appropriation and use of Māori culture. Even so, authors such as Edith Howes (1872-1954) were aiming to create enjoyable and informative books that reflected the society their readers knew. The books were popular and introduced exciting stories (albeit unattributed and highly modified) to a wider audience.