Pounamu Pounamu Te reo Māori edition

Fifty years ago, Pounamu Pounamu was published in English to widespread acclaim.

Education Department officials at the time praised the book and considered it fitting for students throughout the country. Time has passed and in this new era, a generation of readers of te reo Māori can now relish the stories within this classic collection.

The challenge for the translator lies in capturing the essence of the original English narrative. How to relay the humour of A Game of Cards, the grief inherent in Tangi, the depth of love conveyed in The Child?

Eleven translators, graduates of The Institute of Excellence in the Māori Language and national Kura Reo, have skillfully answered the call. Their translations were edited by a team comprising language experts Mākoha Gardiner, Pānia Papa, Hēni Jacob and Stephanie Tibble. The results of their combined efforts are an eloquent example of Māori language revitalisation and the resurgence of tribal dialects.The words which flowed from Witi Ihimaera’s pen have retained their power and significance, a beacon for the kaupapa Māori writers who were steered by its light. Witi’s precedent must be honoured.

“I am totally blown away by their skill,” Witi says. “To be frank, all the words are theirs, not mine. My te reo reading knowledge is limited but even I can see that the nuance of kupu, the rhythmic nature of the sentence-making and the resonance with underlying pūrākau make for a new reading experience. A new book entirely, one that steps out and shows why we should be a bilingual country.”

Kotahi Rau Pukapuka Trust has as its guiding mission to produce 100 quality reo Māori books to grow a love of the language. The Trust acknowledges Penguin Random House NZ, our fellow travellers in this quest to fulfill the aspirations of Māori language enthusiasts.