Māori Legends

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.

Maori Tales nā Johannes C. Andersen i tuhituhi; nā A. H. Messenger kā whakaahua. Auckland, N.Z.: Whitcombe & Tombs, 1924
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Tales of Maori Magic nā Edith Howes i tuhituhi. Christchurch, N.Z.: Whitcombe and Tombs, [1953]

Tales of Maori Magic nā Edith Howes i tuhituhi. Christchurch, N.Z.: Whitcombe and Tombs, [1953]
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More Tales of Maori Magic: Being the Second Book of Tales of Maori Magic nā Edith Howes i tuhituhi. Christchurch, N.Z.: Whitcombe and Tombs, 1957

More Tales of Maori Magic: Being the Second Book of Tales of Maori Magic nā Edith Howes i tuhituhi. Christchurch, N.Z.: Whitcombe and Tombs, 1957
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Legends of the Maori. Christchurch, N.Z.: Whitcombe and Tombs, 1952

Legends of the Maori. Christchurch, N.Z.: Whitcombe and Tombs, 1952
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Legends of the Maori. Book I. Auckland, N.Z.: Whitcombe and Tombs,

Legends of the Maori. Book I. Auckland, N.Z.: Whitcombe and Tombs,
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