World Wetland Day: Books from Te Pataka

Read these books to celebrate World Wetland Day on 2 February. New Zealand has wetlands across the country, attracting unique wildlife and birds to the habitat. Wetlands are important for filtering waters and reducing floods, as well as returning nitrogen to the atmosphere. They are also stunning environments and harbour beautiful and rare flora and fauna.

Wetlands of New Zealand / Hunt, Janet
“Wetlands are the unheralded gems of New Zealand landscape. They harbour beautiful and rare flora and fauna: plants, aquatic life, birds and animals. Examining the different kinds of wetlands – peatlands, wetlands for waders, coastal wetlands, urban wetlands, upland, geothermal wetlands and rivers – also internationally renowned wetlands: Firth of Thames, Kopuatai Peat Dome, Whangamarino, Farewell Spit, Waituna Lagoon, and the Manawatu estuary.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

New Zealand wetland birds and their world / Moon, Geoff
“Geoff Moon presents all the major types of freshwater wetland found in the country. It features birds that use New Zealand’s wetlands on a permanent or seasonal basis. A lifetime’s worth of fabulous bird photography is accompanied by lucid text, all collected from more than 60 years’ experience. Some of the country’s most elusive birds are found in wetlands; most of the photographs of the fernbird, bittern and dabchick that feature in this book are not only previously unpublished.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Swamp fever : a Golden Bay memoir / Hindmarsh, Gerard
“Swamp Fever is the fascinating tale of Golden Bay, northwest of Nelson. Following the homesteading movement in the 70s, Gerard Hindmarsh quit his job as a cartographic cadet for the Department of Lands and Survey and bought a block of scrub-covered, swampy land at Tukurua near Collingwood. Much of his land was swamp, initially ear-marked for draining till he discovered its vibrant ecology: the bird, fish and plants, which becomes a metaphor to Gerard’s growing connection with the land. “(Adapted from the Catalogue)

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New Zealand Farming Life: Books from Te Pataka

Our beautiful country is covered with native bush and lavish with grass. The picture-perfect green pasture of New Zealand has brought business, wealth, travellers and much more. Farm life is in the blood for those farming through the generations, while others are trying to move into this lifestyle. This blog highlights several personal stories: some about farming through generations; one who went from working in Louis Vuitton to preserving a historical homestead; or coming from a broken family to rising as a farming leader. This blog captures the joy, humour, struggle and success of the people who farm in Aotearoa.

Farm : the spirit of rural New Zealand / Yarwood, Vaughan  
“A contemporary, lyrical, fresh and innovative look at where farming is now, this huge book features engaging text and utterly magnificent, almost epic, photo spreads by one of the country’s leading photographers. Between them all they discuss all the issues that preoccupy New Zealand farmers today: innovation, productivity, export, conservation, succession, science, efficiency, rural land access and more. The book speaks to farmers as much as it does to townies.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

High Street to homestead / Williams, Angela
“This is an inspirational journey from a corporate life working with Louis Vuitton and living in Grey Lynn Apartment back to one of New Zealand’s most historical homesteads and horse studs on the golden hills of rural Wairarapa. Angela Williams’ great-great-great-grandfather is Henry Williams, famous for translating the Treaty of Waitangi into Maori, and her grandma founded the famous Te Parae thoroughbred stud. Angela took up the challenge of preserving this historic homestead for the next generation.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

This farming life : five generations on a New Zealand farm / Saunders, Tim
“Tim Saunders is a farmer and a writer. He describes the seasons: Summer, with shearing, slaughter, crop harvest and conservation; Autumn and its floods, trading stock, drenching and dogging; Winter, the maize harvest and lambing; and Spring, with docking, pet sheep and weaning. He explores how a farm that has been in the same family for five generations functions, and describes the everyday lives of farmers and their enduring love of the land and the animals they work with.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

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The ecosystem of your garden: Books from Te Pātaka

Saving water and improving the ecosystem is something that’s on a lot of peoples’ minds; these books provide ideas for simple and fun tasks in the garden that are also good for the environment. For example, this list covers topics such as attracting native birds with fruit trees, saving used water for gardening, planting ‘dry’ vegetations, and upcycling for your garden. Explore these interesting books to turn your backyard an eco-friendly wildlife sanctuary.

New Zealand’s backyard birds / Barraud, Ned
“Guide to the birds that children see and hear in their everyday lives, those that visit our backyards. Some of those will be native birds, maybe tūi, korimako/bellbird and pīwakawaka/fantail, though just as likely they will be introduced birds such as thrush, blackbirds, or flocks of sparrows. This book brings to life our most accessible wildlife, describing the different birds we are likely to see around home, and with useful background information about birds in general”–Back cover.” (Catalogue)

The bold dry garden : lessons from the Ruth Bancroft Garden / Silver, Johanna
“Dry-gardening pioneer Ruth Bancroft grew a private landscape so remarkable, it spurred the founding of the Garden Conservancy. Today Bancroft’s masterpiece has become one of America’s most acclaimed public gardens, with its wondrous model of xeriscaping: succulents, wildflowers, roses, cactus, and trees come in a variety of textures, and shapes.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The bee friendly garden : easy ways to help the bees and make your garden grow / Purdie, Doug
“A grower’s handbook to attracting bees and other beneficial insects. The Bee Friendly Garden is a guide for all gardeners great and small to encouraging bees and other good bugs to your green space. Includes: – How bees forage and why your garden needs them – A comprehensive plant guide to bee friendly plants – Ideas for gardens of all sizes – Natural pest control and companion planting advice.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The abundant garden : a practical guide to growing a regenerative home garden / Kay, Niva
“Niva and Yotam Kay of Pakaraka Permaculture from Coromandel, share their long experience of organic gardening in this comprehensive book on how to create and maintain a productive and regenerative vegetable garden. Taking care of the soil life and fertility provides plants with what they need to thrive. This is grounded in the latest scientific research on soil health, ecological and regenerative practices. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Greywater, green landscape : how to install simple water-saving irrigation systems in your yard / Allen, Laura
“Save thousands of gallons of water annually and have a beautiful yard no matter the weather by capturing and reusing water from sinks, showers, and washing machines. This empowering and easy-to-use manual offers practical, long-term strategies for water management, with easy DIY instructions and step-by-step photography to guide you through construction and installing systems for house and garden.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Tea for the tui : fun recipes to entice birds to your garden / Tully, Rosemary
“Birds add an immeasurable element of life to your garden, and this delightful book of more than 35 recipes provides the ideal way of encouraging them to visit and stay healthy all year round. The recipes cater for both native and introduced birds, from tui (of course) and silvereye to thrushes, finches and blackbirds. Accompanied with a short conservation directory in New Zealand.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Upcycling outdoors / McMurdo, Max
“In Upcycling Outdoors, Max McMurdo teaches you how to discover your inner design genius, where to find great scrap items, and techniques on how to transform them into great design for your garden and outdoor spaces.” (Catalogue)

 

Illustrated Science – Books from Te Pātaka

Beautifully illustrated, visually striking books on science is a different way to enjoy science. This blog features books about science, nature and new discoveries at the time. You will also be interested in the story of a German naturalist painter who, through her vivid drawing and bold expedition, had discovered a scientific finding; and how world-famous painter Leonardo Da Vinci had turned to science for inspiration. Read on!

Bio art : altered realities / Myers, William
“Visually striking, authoritative survey of the crossover between art and biotechnology by an expert in the field. In an era of fast-paced technological progress and with the impact of humans on the environment increasing, the concept of “nature” itself seems called into question. Bio Art explores the work of “bio artists,” those who work with living organisms and life processes to address the possibilities and dangers posed by biotechnological advancement.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

The where, the why, and the how : 75 artists illustrate wondrous mysteries of science / Volvovski, Jenny
“The book turns loose 75 of today’s artists onto life’s vast questions. The biggest (and smallest) mysteries of the natural world are explained in essays by real working scientists, which are then illustrated by artists given free rein to be as literal or as imaginative as they like. Featuring work by such contemporary luminaries as Lisa Congdon, Jen Corace, Neil Farber, Susie  Ghahremani, Jeremyville, and many more.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

The Oxford illustrated history of science
“The first-ever fully illustrated global history of science, from Aristotle to the atom bomb. Encompass the story of science in both the East and West from antiquity to the Enlightenment: from the ancient Mediterranean world to ancient China; from the exchanges between Islamic and Christian scholars in the Middle Ages to the Chinese invention of gunpowder, paper, and the printing press; from the Scientific Revolution Europe to the intellectual ferment.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

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Decluttering & Cleaning – Books From Te Pātaka

Whether you are spring cleaning, decluttering or moving, you can find the perfect way of refreshing your living with tidiness and style; from the professional organiser Marie Kondo’s magic tidying to the fabulous photographs from Good Housekeeping‘s organisation wisdom. On the other hand, creative people who easily get messy can be creatively organized; or crafty people can build their own garage storage project. There are several ideas to choose from!

Good Housekeeping simple household wisdom : 425 easy ways to clean & organize your home
Your home is the place where you’re free to relax, entertain, and express your personality. Filled with fabulous photographs of every room, plus genius tips, savvy shortcuts, and quick fixes for tidying, decluttering, organizing, adding style, and more, Good Housekeeping Simple Household Wisdom is your go-to guide for turning a house into the home you’ll love even more.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

The home decluttering diet : organize your way to a clean and lean house / Lifford, Jennifer
“When Lifford got serious about organizing her home, she decided to follow the principles of a typical diet designed to lose weight and compared decluttering to weight-losing. Author suggests building a new habit of getting rid of items more, than buying new items, also address psychological issues and establish sensible rewards. This yearlong plan can help to organize a clean and lean house.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Guide to natural housekeeping : live a calmer, healthier life, recycle and reuse, clean naturally, garden organically / Strutt, Christina
” A Guide to Natural Housekeeping is full of advice and information to help you take a more sustainable path. It’s perfectly possible to clean a house using nothing more than lemons, baking soda, vinegar, and plain water. Old-fashioned methods are complemented by newer ideas.  Make beauty preparations and bath oils, too, for soothing, effective treatments to enhance everyday health and wellbeing.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

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From Te Pātaka: Food memories of New Zealand

Cook up a kiwi storm with these traditional recipes, peppered with creative spices. Highlighted are a few famous people’s recipes from their family or cultural traditions, such as Simon Gault’s summer BBQ recipe, and Charles Royal’s traditional kai. There’s also tales from a famous Wanaka restaurant, local sausage recipes, camping recipes and much more. Try these recipes to switch up your dinner plans this summer.

Kiwi favourites cookbook : celebrating 75 years of Wattie’s in Kiwi kitchens
“A collection of best-loved kiwi recipes from 75 years of Wattie’s in New Zealand kitchens. The taste and smells of our favourite childhood food is called comfort food for a reason! From shepherd’s pie and corn fritters to carrot cake and pavlova. In the last 75 years New Zealand had been through enormous changes, but the tried-and-true recipes passed on from our mothers and grandmothers can still delight us!” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Summer with Simon Gault / Gault, Simon
“The Kiwi summer goes hand in hand with good times, friends and family, and the finest, most nutritious food. In Summer, beloved chef Simon Gault shares his favorite recipes, offering quick fixes for the BBQ, picnics at the beach, stints at the bach, keeping the kids happy and exploiting the best produce of the season. With a focus on healthy, tasty and stress-free eating, it’s mouth-watering food for everyday people – a book to make summer entertaining easy.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

Bangers to bacon : a New Zealand guide to making, cooking and using sausages and cured meat / Schmid, Jeremy
“Whether it’s the good old kiwi-style sausage sizzle, the gourmet venison sausages, or even the vegetarian snags, sausages are a staple in the New Zealand household. Author demonstrates step-by-step processes to make fresh sausages; hot smoked, cured, dried and vegetarian sausages; dry cured and wet brined meats, Mash and Toad in the Hole and humble Bangers.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

From kai to Kiwi kitchen : New Zealand culinary traditions and cookbooks
“In the past two decades, cuisine and culinary history have attracted increasing attention, with both popular and academic books reflecting the growth of interest. Recipes are both markers of the socioeconomic conditions of their times and written representations of a culture’s culinary repertoire yet, they have not been the primary focus of research projects. Acknowledgement of their potential contribution to our understanding of culinary history has been slow. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Cooking 4 change : 101 famous Kiwis share their favourite recipes
“Cooking 4 Change is the brainchild of celebrated New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell, his business partner Christian Kasper and TV host Erin Simpson. They asked a wide range of New Zealand celebrities to share their all-time favourite dishes in order to raise money for longstanding local charities. The recipes and stories are accompanied by sumptuous photography, mostly taken inside each celebrity’s own kitchen, and shows a remarkable when kiwis work together for the charities. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Francesca’s Italian kitchen : delicious Italian recipes made in New Zealand / Voza, Francesca
“Francesca’s Italian Kitchen is a popular South Island restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine. This cookbook presents Francesca’s popular pasta, pizza, lamb shoulder ragu, cannellini bean salad and desserts using local NZ ingredients. Co-owner Francesca Voza has restaurants in Wanaka, Christchurch, Dunedin and Timaru. This book is peppered with photo taken from trips to the south of Italy and Wanaka. (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Blue sky kitchen : creative cookery for Kiwi campers / Saker, Nicola
“Love camping, but fed up with canned food? Read on! Nicola Saker gives campsite cuisine a fresh new flavour with these mouth-watering recipes, some of which are her own creations and others collected from close friends and family. Along with a host of delicious new recipes – many involving New Zealand’s superb seafood bounty and old favourites, such as chilli con carne to potato salad. She also offers practical advice on food hygiene and storage, campfire tips and safety, and cooking kits.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

My Indian kitchen : delicious recipes for New Zealand cooks / Ismail-Singer, Ashia
“My Indian Kitchen features recipes for well-known traditional Indian dishes alongside a range of new and exciting Indian tastes and textures, these recipes are also Ashia’s food memories which has been passed down through generations. These are easy to make with ingredients that are easy to access in New Zealand. With chutneys and bites for grazing, light lunches, mains, desserts, home baking and more.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The rugby pantry : healthy measures & guilty pleasures / Dagg, Daisy
“Daisy is partner of All Blacks Israel Dagg and Amber is partners of Victor Vito. They shared recipes for mouthwatering meals that are also healthy enough for an athlete as well as personal anecdotes, which made them popular on Facebook. From Red Wine & Garlic Lamb Shanks with Herbed Mash & Cabbage or Sage, and Milk Poached Crispy Pork Belly, to Crispy Skin Salmon with Ginger Kumara Mash; from delicious desserts such as Tamarillo Tart or Apple & Feijoa Crumble.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Cooking with Charles Royal / Royal, Charles
“Here New Zealand’s foremost Maori chef combines traditional ingredients with tantalizing culinary flare.” (Catalogue)