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Title: Tangi
Authors: Ihimaera, Witi
Genre: Fiction: New Zealand
Pages: 251
Year: 2023
Language: English
Description: This is the story of a young Māori man, Tama, returning to his home marae after the death of his beloved father. Set over the three days of the tangi, this haunting study of grief and mortality weaves together two storylines, Tama's past and present, illuminating the tension between the Māori and Pākehā worlds and urban and rural Māori.

Revised for the 50th anniversary of its release in 1973, this novel, the first to be published by a Māori author, continues to be a significant story of New Zealand literature.

Categories: Fiction NZ, Award winner, Community, Culture/Ethnic/Racial, Grief/loss, Māori, Relationships, New Zealand Interest, Ockham Winner, 2025 Titles

Reviews

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By: AUCK 389 2025-07-02 14:41:28
4.5 
Beautifully crafted book. The dignity and aroha of the Maori world written in an absorbing and insightful way.

By: WELL 213 2025-05-26 10:20:19
5 
With one one exception, everyone LOVED 'Tangi' - its lyricism, poetic style, spirituality, seamless spiral structure and combination of Maori and Pakeha world views. We all want to purchase our own copies!

By: TAIH 004 2025-04-08 11:40:43
4 
Great book - most liked it.

By: PICT 008 2025-01-21 13:13:12
5 
Loved it. Moving, challenging, enlightening. A beautiful portrayal of a parent/child dynamic.

By: WAIKA 001 2024-09-24 14:45:58
5 
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It came to us at the time the Maori king died, so many had watched his tangi on T.V. Recommended reading for all New Zealanders.

By: AUCK 443 2024-06-06 10:41:26
4 
Due to unforeseen circumstances we were a small group who discussed this book. Some of us had read the original 'Tangi' and recognised that this was an excellent and relevant revision. It is beautifully written and gave a strong sense of place and connectedness. The influence of colonisation was very evident but there was also a growing awareness of the need for Pakeha to be more aware of the significance of Maori culture...

 
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