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Our Director of Academic Affairs, Dr. Lee Stoner, has recently come across an interesting read – “A Traveller’s History of New Zealand and the South Pacific” by John Chambers.

This book gives a condensed overview of life in the South Pacific, starting with Polynesian colonization, then progressing to European colonization and the ramifications of this cultural exchange. Focus then shifts to some of the most important socio-cultural movements over the past 200 years, with particular emphasis on New Zealand, including the introduction of Christianity, the Maori musket wars and the Treaty of Waitangi. The seminal work on New Zealand history remains the Penguin History of New Zealand by Michael King, but for someone looking for a more concise overview (the Penguin book is nearly double the size) this makes for an ideal read.

‘A Traveller’s History of” is actually a series. Other titles include “USA” and “Australia”. There’s also “England”, which is next on Lee’s hit list – he know more about the South Pacific despite the fact he’s British!