Anyone who has been welcomed on to a marae in New Zealand, will understand that whaikorero - oratory - is at the heart of Maori culture. Whaikorero: The World of Maori Oratory is the first introduction to this fundamental Maori art to be widely published. It is based on broad research as well as oral histories from 30 of the leading exponents of whaikorero, many of whom have subsequently died. Author Poia Rewi's informants are affiliated to many iwi including Tuhoe, Ngati Kahungunu, Te Arawa, Ngati Porou, Ngati Awa, Waikato-Maniapoto, Te Whakatohea, Nga Puhi, and Ngati Whare. In Whaikorero, Poia Rewi assesses the origin and history of whaikorero; its structure, language and style of delivery; who may speak; and where speech happens. Featuring a range of samples, this handy guide provides high quality exemplars for learners and intermediate speakers of te reo Maori wishing to improve their whaikorero skills. It will be a major book for everyone interested in Maori and Polynesian cultures.

Prizes

Winner of New Zealand Society of Authors Best First Book Awards: E.H. McCormick Award for Non Fiction 2011

‘This is a useful and long-awaited work with a great deal to offer the simply curious, the student of history and the aspiring orator.’ – Tom O’Connor, Taranaki Daily News

This is a useful and long-awaited work with a great deal to offer the simply curious, the student of history and the aspiring orator. – Tom O’Connor, Taranaki Daily News

I would definitely recommend Whaikorero: The World of Maori Oratory by Poia Rewi. – Maraea Rakuraku, Speaking Volumes

This valuable book has come about from Poia’s desire to record information from a rapidly diminishing generation of kaumatua ... Whaikorero is for the shelves of those with a serious interest and curiosity about Maori history and tikanga. – Mana Magazine

Associate Professor Poia Rewi (Tuhoe, Ngati Manawa, Te Arawa) holds a PhD from the University of Otago and teaches there in Te Tumu: The School of Maori, Pacific, and Indigenous Studies, having previously taught at Waikato University for a decade. A certified translator and interpreter of Maori into English he is also a qualified teacher of English as a second language. He has been a judge at many regional Maori-language speaking competitions as well as being a judge at national, regional and tribal Maori performing arts competitions (adult/senior and high school levels).