Discovering the Best Travel Books for New Zealand
Aotearoa New Zealand is a land of breathtaking beauty, rich cultural heritage, and adventurous spirit. For many, it stands as a dream destination, offering everything from dramatic landscapes and ancient glaciers to vibrant Māori traditions and unique wildlife. While planning a trip to this incredible country is an adventure in itself, one of the best ways to prepare or simply experience New Zealand from afar is through its literature. Finding the Best Travel Book For New Zealand means discovering stories that capture the essence of the place, whether it’s through historical accounts, personal memoirs, or captivating fiction. These books can serve as guides, companions, or windows into the soul of Aotearoa.
Our team member, Holly Wielkoszewski, recently had the opportunity to revisit New Zealand, focusing her journey on the North Island. During her trip, she made it a point to explore several beloved independent bookstores, bringing back not just souvenirs, but a treasure trove of titles to add to her reading list. The insights and recommendations gathered from local booksellers and her own discoveries offer a unique perspective on the diverse literary landscape of New Zealand. From award-winning memoirs delving into Māori identity to thrilling crime novels set against stunning backdrops and historical fiction exploring the country’s past, this curated list aims to highlight standout books that will enrich your understanding and appreciation of New Zealand, making them excellent candidates for the title of Best Travel Book For New Zealand depending on your interests.
This collection features sixteen remarkable books that were either read by Holly during her travels, brought back home, or discovered through conversations with knowledgeable booksellers at four fantastic independent stores on the North Island: Unity Books in Auckland, McLeod’s in Rotorua, and Beattie & Forbes and Wardini Books in Napier. These recommendations span various genres, reflecting the multifaceted nature of New Zealand itself. Whether you seek adventure, history, cultural insight, or thrilling narratives, there’s a book here to transport you to Aotearoa.
A Literary Journey Through Aotearoa New Zealand
Here are sixteen stand-out titles that offer a literary gateway to New Zealand:
Tarquin the Honest: The Hand of Glodd
Author: Gareth Ward
This fantasy novel immediately grabs attention with its cover. Discovering that the author is also a local bookstore owner in Napier adds another layer of interest. The story follows Tarquin the Honest, a wizard based on the author’s own Dungeons & Dragons character, on a quest to recover The Golden Gauntlet for a mysterious patron. While different from typical travel literature, delving into New Zealand fantasy by a local author provides a unique cultural connection. It’s described as a fun and entertaining read for fans of fantasy.
Harbouring
Author: Jenny Pattrick
Inspired by exhibits at the Aotearoa New Zealand Maritime Museum focusing on colonization, this novel delves into the stories of those who journeyed to New Zealand, the Indigenous peoples, and their complex interactions. It traces the experiences of a Welsh family seeking a new life and an enslaved woman hoping for freedom, set against the birth of Wellington city. Jenny Pattrick is a renowned historical fiction writer in New Zealand, with many of her works set in various locations across the country, offering deep historical context that makes it a strong contender for best travel book for New Zealand for history enthusiasts.
The Bookseller at the End of the World
Author: Ruth Shaw
This memoir is centered around the author’s experience running two small bookshops in the remote Manapouri area. The idea of tiny bookstores in a secluded location resonates strongly with the romance of travel and discovery. Ruth Shaw shares funny and poignant stories about the people who visit her shops and bittersweet reflections from her life before becoming a bookseller, much of which was spent at sea. It’s a book about connecting with people and place through literature, offering a charming perspective on a unique corner of New Zealand.
No Man’s Land
Author: A.J. Fitzwater
A blend of historical fantasy and a love story, this novel is set during the Second World War, following young women who took on farm work while men were serving. Dorothea ‘Tea’ Gray finds unexpected discoveries on a remote farm, including a surprising love. This feminist, queer narrative draws inspiration from overlooked women’s history. A.J. Fitzwater’s background as an Artist in Residence and their published short fiction in New Zealand science fiction and fantasy anthologies highlight their unique voice. For those seeking stories that explore diverse histories and identities in New Zealand, this is a compelling read.
The Boy from Gorge River
Author: Chris Long
For readers fascinated by stories of isolation and survival, this memoir offers a compelling account. Chris Long recounts his childhood growing up on the rugged West Coast of the South Island, two days’ hike from the nearest road. Raised by parents dedicated to a life independent of capitalism and deeply connected to nature, Chris shares his journey from a wild youth to questioning the outside world and finding his path as an adult who values both adventure and his unique roots. It’s a powerful story about connection to the land and a non-traditional upbringing, making it a significant cultural travel book.
Gone Bush: A Life in the Backcountry and Beyond
Author: Paul Kilgour
Given New Zealand’s fame for outdoor beauty and tramping (hiking), including a memoir about experiencing the backcountry is essential. Gone Bush follows Paul Kilgour through a lifetime of walking, sharing stories of the people met, the numerous huts visited, and his epic end-to-end walk across the country. The publisher describes it as a “charming, meandering, transportive read,” evoking the experience of hiking through serene mountain landscapes. This book is perfect for anyone inspired by New Zealand’s natural wonders and the call of the wild. Exploring new destinations, whether physically visiting a place or reading about adventures, opens up new horizons. Sometimes these journeys lead us to unexpected places, much like navigating through information, perhaps even related to a flying j dealer -- mega travel plaza breezewood photos.
Straight Up
Author: Ruby Tui
Rugby is a huge part of New Zealand culture, so a memoir from a top female player like Ruby Tui provides insight into this national passion. Ruby Tui’s story details her journey from a difficult childhood to becoming an Olympic Champion and world-class rugby sevens player. With a mixed Samoan, Irish, and Scottish heritage, her memoir offers a personal perspective on overcoming challenges and achieving success in a sport that inspires immense national pride. It’s a captivating read for understanding a key element of New Zealand’s social fabric.
Māori Boy: A Memoir of Childhood
Author: Witi Ihimaera
A critically acclaimed memoir and winner of the Ockham New Zealand Book Award in 2016, this is the first of two volumes exploring Witi Ihimaera’s childhood and early life growing up Māori. Ihimaera is a significant figure in New Zealand literature, known for works like The Whale Rider, which was adapted into a popular film. His memoir offers profound insights into Māori identity, family, and history, providing essential cultural context for anyone wishing to understand New Zealand more deeply. It’s undeniably a strong candidate for the best travel book for New Zealand focusing on Indigenous perspectives.
A Quiet Kitchen
Author: Nici Wickes
While primarily a cookbook, this title by New Zealand personality Nici Wickes goes beyond just recipes. Known from her travel and cooking show World Kitchen, Wickes shares dishes she turned to during lockdown in her seaside cottage. The book also touches upon personal topics like living solo, daily ocean swimming, menopause, and middle age, weaving lifestyle elements around the food. It offers a glimpse into a quieter, coastal New Zealand lifestyle, blending culinary culture with personal reflection.
Kāwai: For Such a Time As This
Author: Monty Soutar
Esteemed Māori historian Monty Soutar’s debut novel is an epic historical adventure following a young Māori man in pre-colonial New Zealand through the arrival of Europeans. Inspired by and tracing Soutar’s own ancestry, the book vividly portrays New Zealand from the mid-18th century, exploring themes of colonization, indigenous culture, and the rich history of the island’s peoples. This substantial work provides a sweeping historical narrative essential for understanding the country’s foundations and conflicts.
Better the Blood
Author: Michael Bennett
This debut novel by Māori author Michael Bennett is a gripping crime thriller set in and around Auckland. It features Māori detective Hana Westerman navigating complex family dynamics, racial tensions, and career pressures while hunting New Zealand’s first serial killer. The novel is praised for its compelling story and its perspectives on history, colonization, and the lasting impact of violence. While a thriller, it offers unique insights into contemporary New Zealand society and its historical undercurrents, making it a captivating read for crime fiction fans traveling to the country. Connecting with local narratives, whether through thrilling fiction or perhaps even researching local travel hubs like a flying j dealer -- mega travel plaza breezewood photos, can provide a richer understanding of a place.
Exterior view of Beattie & Forbes Booksellers in Napier, New Zealand, a local independent bookstore.
Peninsula
Author: Sharron Came
Winner of the 2021 Adam Foundation Prize, this debut novel tells the story of three generations of a rural family through ten interconnected stories. As characters navigate change and relationships, their lives unfold against the backdrop of rural New Zealand, featuring sheep, huts, and other elements of the landscape. This interwoven narrative style provides a fragmented yet insightful look into family dynamics and life in the country, offering a different kind of perspective on the New Zealand experience.
Call Me Evie
Author: J. P. Pomare
Author J. P. Pomare, a Rotorua native, is a prominent voice in New Zealand thrillers. Call Me Evie is described as a Gone Girl-esque psychological thriller set between an isolated New Zealand beach town and Melbourne, Australia. The story centers on Evie, a teenage girl on the run who is distrustful of the man she’s with and can’t remember her past actions, even questioning her own identity. Pomare’s work is gaining international recognition, with his second novel being adapted for television, highlighting the quality of New Zealand crime writing.
Kurangaituku
Author: Whiti Hereaka
This innovative myth retelling from the perspective of the bird woman, Kurangaituku, won the Ockham New Zealand Book Award in 2022. The book features a unique format where you can read from either the front or the back, presenting the story in different directions. Kurangaituku recounts her extraordinary life, her interactions with the arrival of the Song Makers, and her relationship with Hatupatu. Hereaka is known for her award-winning work across different age groups, and this book offers a fascinating, multi-layered exploration of Māori mythology from an unconventional viewpoint. It’s a truly unique literary experience for travelers interested in cultural myths.
Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant
Author: Cristina Sanders
Inspired by New Zealand’s maritime history, this book is a fictional adventure based on the enduring mystery of an 1866 shipwreck. A three-masted ship carrying illicit gold wrecks, leaving only fifteen survivors stranded. The story follows their struggle for survival, secrets, and conflicts, including resentment towards the lone surviving woman. The publisher calls it a “vivid imagining” of the events. For those intrigued by nautical history and survival tales, this historical fiction offers a captivating look at a specific event in New Zealand’s past.
Auē
Author: Becky Manawatu
A bestseller in New Zealand and a 2020 Ockham New Zealand Book Award winner, Auē is a powerful novel that blends complex family drama with gritty crime elements. Told from multiple perspectives, it explores themes of gang violence, family bonds, and trauma. While intense and raw, it is masterfully written and provides a stark, realistic portrayal of certain aspects of New Zealand life and social issues. Sensitive readers should be aware of the depictions of violence, but for those seeking a critically acclaimed, impactful contemporary New Zealand novel, this is a significant title. Exploring the layers of a country often involves delving into its challenging realities as well as its beauty, much like navigating the varied points of interest on a road trip, from natural wonders to, perhaps, researching places like a flying j dealer -- mega travel plaza breezewood photos.
These sixteen titles represent a diverse range of New Zealand literature, each offering a unique perspective on the country’s history, culture, people, and landscapes. Whether you’re looking for historical context, personal stories, gripping mysteries, or fantastical escapes, finding the best travel book for New Zealand depends on what kind of journey you wish to take through its pages.
Conclusion
Reading books set in or about a destination is a powerful way to connect with the place on a deeper level, enhancing your understanding and appreciation before, during, or after your visit. The selection of books highlighted here, curated with insights from New Zealand booksellers and personal travel experience, offers a rich literary landscape to explore. From uncovering the complexities of Māori culture and history to experiencing the rugged beauty of the land through memoirs and fiction, these books provide invaluable context and inspiration. Choosing the best travel book for New Zealand ultimately comes down to your personal interests, but this list provides an excellent starting point for any reader eager to explore Aotearoa New Zealand through its captivating stories.
