Singing the Trail: The story of Mapping Aotearoa New Zealand

Author(s): John McCrystal

History | Reference | Aotearoa New Zealand Non-Fiction

The very first maps were oral maps made by early Polynesian and Maori settlers which were waypoints, described as "survey pegs of memory," lists of places in songs, chants, karakia, and stories that showed direction. Hundreds of years later, the Dutch Abel Tasman sailed here and made the first attempt at a physical map; he was followed more than 100 years later by Cook, whose map was much more detailed as he circumnavigated the country. Once the detail of the coastline was filled in, more detailed maps of the interior were made by those in search of resources to exploit. A clever look at New Zealand history and also at the intriguing tradition of map making.

Author Biography: John McCrystal lives in Wellington with his partner, two children and a large, indefatigable dog. He has been working as a freelance writer since 1996, contributing to most of New Zealand's leading newspapers and magazines. Since publishing his first book in 1999, a biography of businessman Bob Owens, he has written, co-written or ghost-written over 50 non-fiction titles on a diverse range of subjects, including biography, social history, travel, sport and economics. He has also published a handful of short stories (some of which attracted national awards), a single radio play and (with broadcaster Graeme Hill) produced the very popular radio series, 'Shipwreck Tales'. Maps and charts have been a lifelong fascination.


Product Information

General Fields

  • : 9781760633592
  • : Allen & Unwin
  • : Allen & Unwin
  • : 1.79623
  • : November 2019
  • : ---length:- '11'width:- '9.75'units:- Inches
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : John McCrystal
  • : Hardback
  • : English