Insightful, quirky, poignant, cheeky, thoughtful, amusing, lyrical and highly informed ...This book is an intriguing account of nature, culture, history and politics in the Hauraki Gulf islands from the time of first human settlement until today. The narrative is laced with personal anecdotes, sailing experiences and myriad maritime matters. Running throughout the many and fascinating short chapters are key themes of Maori and Pakeha use of the islands, their historical interaction, and more recent attempts at cultural restitution, environmental restoration and wildlife preservation. If you love the sea, boats and the Hauraki Gulf islands, you will love this book.Author BiographyKerry Howe has spent a life time writing about Pacific/Polynesian/New Zealand culture and history. His ten books have been internationally acclaimed, and his edition of Vaka Moana. Voyages of the Ancestors received the NZ Montana Book Awards for History in 2007. His research and teaching career was at Massey University, both Palmerston North and Auckland, with periods at universities in Australia, the USA and Canada. He has travelled extensively throughout the Pacific islands. He attained the position of Distinguished Professor before his retirement. In addition to his scholarship, he has always been an avid outdoor person, especially fishing and boating. He has undertaken many long-distance solo sea kayak journeys, and has written extensively on sea kayaking. In later years he and his wife have taken to sailing in a 50-year-old wooden yacht in the Hauraki Gulf, and further north. A born and bred Aucklander, he has had a life-long fascination with the Gulf islands.

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