‘Pacific Voices’

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 9, 27 October 1977, Page 7

‘Pacific Voices’

Book Review

(edited by

Bernie Gadd)

At a time when there is multiculturalism in the air, our leaders are preaching it, our schools are introducing or extending Maori language and studies, “Pacific Voices” has been published This book is a collection of short stories, plays and poetry, about and mainly by Maori and Pacific Island people. Pacific Voices is a wide cross section of cultures. It provides an insight one doesn’t often see, into the basis of much of todays existing racial conflict. It is one of the few outlets available to Pacific Island writers, and proves there is a completely untapped field of literary strength, which might otherwise go unack-

nowledged. It is clear, concise and easily understood. From a karanga (call of welcome) from the kuia (old woman) on the marae by Tom Poata, to * “fiafia” (feast), a legend of Niue, and then to Colonialism, Independence, by Albert Wendt about the Palagi (European) Govt. This book should be in every school as resource material and reference book. It could provide some positive steps towards the cultural education of English teachers, and in showing our children where their sense of identity lies. Available at Polynesian Book Shop, and other book shops for $3.35.