Library Books > Non-Fiction > NZ Adult Non-Fiction

Highly successful author and innovative designer Stafford Cliff has visited hundreds of gardens in the course of his travels over the last forty years all over the world, taking photographs and making notes. With his designer's eye and experience, he has created a revelatory work - a unique sourcebook of the very best ideas providing choices and inspiration for every single garden dilemma and possibility, from colour and planting to hard surfaces and features.

This world beating book profiles an array of the best and most ingenious talent born and bred in New Zealand - it's an invaluable and entertaining record of local and global achievers who have all helped New Zealand compete at an international level across diverse industries such as engineering, fashion, computers, film, astronomy, music and the arts, wine making, business, toys, yachting, science, education and much more. Legendary Kiwi personalities such as Peter Blake, Richard Taylor (WETA), the Finn brothers, Brotha D, Phil Keo... read more

This ingenious book captures the very essence of the Kiwi character and is a spectacular celebration of over 100 examples of pioneering Kiwi ingenuity, profiling shed mechanics like Burt Munro and John Britten to those who used overseas resources to win Nobel Prizes like Ernest Rutherford and Alan McDiarmid, or those who earned international success like Peter Jackson and Peter Blake. Other ingenious Kiwis include Jean Batten, Fred Hollows, Steve Gurney, Kate Sheppard and Alan Duff. First published October 2006.

For all its 150 years Auckland Museum has been a storehouse of New Zealand's and the Pacific's treasures. Its collections also cover applied arts from around the world, the weird and the wonderful of natural history, stunning ethnographic pieces, art and much more. In this book, a selection of 150 pieces of Auckland Museum's collection are on display. Each piece is accompanied by a lively account of its origins and significance, written by the curators who know these objects intimately. The introduction outlines the Museum's collec... read more

On the 25th of April 1915 Australian troops landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in what is now called Anzac Cove. They rushed from the beach up to Plugge's Plateau into Australian military history suffering many casualties on the way. Just after midday troops from New Zealand landed at Gallipoli and together the Australians and New Zealanders created the Anzac legend. It was the events of this first day that set the course of the whole battle leading to the evacuation of the Anzac troops in December 1915. This is the story of that da... read more

Join Cookie, TJ, Anzac, Shadez and Missy as they explore New Zealand from top to bottom and uncover heaps of weird, odd and fascinating facts and stuff as they drive around in their Kombi!Everything weird and wonderful that you always wanted to know about New Zealand from well-known author and illustrator Dave Gunson. First published November 2005.

The New Zealand Division landed in Italy in October 1943 and entered the line at the Sangro River on 14 November. They fought up the east side of Italy, becoming bogged down at Orsogna for two months, from where they were withdrawn in January 1944. They then swapped coasts. It was unpleasant fighting and a great contrast to the desert war. Here it was cold and wet and it snowed. But there were also compensations - many of the men got on well with the Italian people, who mostly greeted them with great enthusiasm. This book tells of ... read more

The New Zealand Division landed in Italy in October 1943 and entered the line at the Sangro River on 14 November. They fought up the east side of Italy, becoming bogged down at Orsogna for two months, from where they were withdrawn in January 1944. They then swapped coasts and moved across the Apennines to the west side of the country where they came to a screeching halt at Cassino. Three hard-fought battles took place here before the New Zealanders could move past and on to Rome and almost as far as Florence. The Division was then... read more

This updated and re-jacketed edition reviews the latest developments in New Zealand's rich architectural history and explores the way a country's architecture reflects the spirit and aspirations of its inhabitants. First published 1991. This third edition 2003.

After fifteen years in New Zealand, Joe Bennett asked himself where on earth he was. The country he had arrived in and liked so much didn't seem to be the one the world's media was excitedly discovering. So he packed his bag, said farewell to his dog and stuck out his thumb. Observing both the intriguingly named North and South Islands from the passenger seat as a hitchhiker, with an eye for oddity and a taste for conversation, Bennett began to understand why this land of two halves had seduced him. And why it's now doing the sam... read more

As New Zealanders, we have a natural affinity with water. We regard fishing as a natural right; we view swimming as a life-skill; until recently we would drink unhesitatingly from any back-country stream. Some of our most special memories are of rivers and lakes; hours spent swimming, building dams, catching cockabullies, floating downstream on faded lilos.. The waterways of this country are a gift beyond value. Through entertaining and informative essays and over 200 photographs, this book celebrates them in all their forms: clea... read more

This new addition to New Holland's popular pocket Photographic Guide series showcases the flowers that add so much to the attractions of walking in New Zealand's alpine zone. The ideal size for slipping into a backpack when tramping, it will appeal to walkers, nature lovers, tour guides and educators, and flower photographers wishing to identify their subjects.

Ferns occur in great abundance in New Zealand – there are nearly 200 native species alone occurring everywhere from the coast through to the country’s alpine regions. Then there are the fern allies – including clubmosses and forkferns that have an even longer fossil history than ferns. However, most of the ferns and fern allies described in A Photographic Guide to Ferns of New Zealand are the commoner species that are more likely to be seen when journeying around the New Zealand countryside. Paperback (Mini)

Let's face it - this is sheep country. Sheep still outnumber New Zealanders by about ten to one. They're hugely important to us - they have propped up the nation's economy for ages; they've enriched our language (with their dagging and drenching and dipping) as well as the table; been the subject of countless jokes; and reminded us of our rural roots. They're now the stuff of high fashion. It's hard to imagine New Zealand without them. So it's about time we had a book to give us the lowdown on our woolly friends. Here it is: A Shor... read more

Adrenalin Rush is the third book by Eric Rush and in this volume you will find his first two books as well. (Gold Rush and Rushie)This book continues with Eric's irreverent look at the Rugby Sevens game, his playing mates and rugby union in general.

First published 1991; this edition 2006. Filmed as 'Out of the Blue'

Popular subject in a popular format. Set out chronologically, each year of the 20th century has information on major events, personalities and cultural history. There is a general introduction to NZ history up to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. The years 1840-1899 get a page each with the years 1900-2005 getting a double page spread each. Focus is on fascinating information about NZ's past, as well as world firsts and unusual events.

Books about NZ birds are usually either field guides (both big and small) or lavish illustrated books which aren't very informative. This fills a gap in the market for a good solid, substantial reference book for homes, school and libraries that is both informative and very attractive. This book describes 100 birds, which covers all the NZ birds that you are most likely to see, including some rare and endangered birds. For each bird there is one page of accessibly written and highly informative text with one large photograph facing... read more

This edition is in English, Korean Japanese & Chinese

Bird’s-eye View reveals what 13 New Zealand birds see in their natural environment. You will be astounded to discover the range of visual functions a bird has compared with what a human can see. By using the latest avian-vision research, the bird’s-eye view is shown in a series of stunning panoramic images. Bird’s-Eye View provides an entirely new perspective on the way birds live. First published June 2006