Ka Mate: Travels in New Zealand

by Dan Coxon

The New Zealand All Blacks are one of the most recognisable team franchises in modern sport, and their performance of the Ka Mate haka prior to international matches is known across the globe. But how many of us know anything about the Maori people to whom this haka belongs? Ka Mate: Travels In New Zealand takes us on a three month journey around New Zealand, through the vineyards, over the glaciers, and across the fields of boiling mud. Freelance journalist and writer Dan Coxon does more than simply entertain us with anecdotes of his travels: he unravels New Zealand's complex history of migration and settlement, and reveals an intriguing story of British colonisation that still has repercussions today. Plus there's time for a rugby match or two along the way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

314 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2011

About the author

Dan Coxon is an award-winning editor and writer based in London. His non-fiction anthology Writing The Uncanny (co-edited with Richard V. Hirst) won the British Fantasy Award for Best Non-Fiction 2022, while his short story collection Only The Broken Remain (Black Shuck Books) was shortlisted for two British Fantasy Awards in 2021 (Best Collection, Best Newcomer). In 2018 his anthology of British folk-horror, This Dreaming Isle (Unsung Stories), was shortlisted for a British Fantasy Award and a Shirley Jackson Award. His short stories have appeared in various anthologies, including Nox Pareidolia, Beyond the Veil, Mother: Tales of Love and Terror and Fiends in the Furrows III. His latest anthology - Isolation - was published by Titan Books in September 2022.

Reviews

[Elise]

I have just won a copy in a First Reads giveaway and I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing it.

[Reader50]

New Zealand is a beautiful country, a destination on many travelers list of places to visit. Sadly, I could not get into this book but hopeful that at a later date, it will grab and sustain my interest as I do want to know more about this country I have visited on several occasions.

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book out of excitement for an upcoming trip to New Zealand. Coxon really doesn't seem overly impressed with most of his trip. :/ At least he had a great time at Milford Sound, one of the places I'm headed to for kayaking. Found his insight into Maori culture, past and especially present, interesting. :)

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!