The latest in the New Zealand Collection.

Bill & Shirley: a Memoir. Keith Ovenden
Writer Keith Ovenden is married to Helen Sutch, Bill and Shirley Smith’s only child. His memoir looks back on his relationship with his parents-in-law, two people who were so significant in the social and cultural landscape of post-war twentieth century New Zealand. The memoir is divided in three; the first part about Sutch, second part about Smith, while the final part forms a reflection on the process of writing biography/memoir itself.

Gangland: New Zealand’s Underworld of Organised Crime. Jared Savage
New Zealand has seen an explosion in gang activity over the last few years, especially since Australia started deporting NZ-born criminals, including members of Australian gangs like the Comancheros who have subsequently established new chapters in this country. Investigative journalist Jared Savage delves into an increasingly dangerous criminal underworld where millions are being made in the methamphetamine trade and there is mounting evidence of Mexican cartel involvement.

Life & Times: Images From the Otago Daily Times Collection
This is a fantastic pictorial history of Dunedin and the wider Otago area from the vaults of the Otago Daily Times. The book covers the whole gamut of local life and offers fascinating insights into the physical and social history of this place.

Lost Gold: Ornithology of the Subantarctic Auckland Islands. Eds., Colin Miskelly and Craig Symes
The Auckland Islands are a haven for many rare bird species although introduced mammals constitute a very real threat. There are nineteen papers in this volume by leading ornithological researchers providing a superb overview of the rich bird life present here, including four endemic species.

New Zealand’s Responses to the 1916 Rising. Eds., Peter Kuch and Lisa Marr
The 1916 Easter Rising, the armed insurrection of Irish republicans in Dublin led by figures like James Connolly and Patrick Pearse, was a momentous world event, touching lives across the globe including New Zealand. This volume investigating the New Zealand responses to the Rising was produced following a two-day centennial conference organised by the University’s Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies and Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and includes an essay by Toitū curator Seán Brosnahan.

Rock College: an Unofficial History of Mount Eden Prison. Mark Derby
Mount Eden Prison aka ‘Rock College’, held some of the country’s prominent political prisoners and infamous criminals including Te Kooti, Rua Kēnana, John A. Lee, George Wilder, Tim Shadbolt and Sandra Coney within its forbidding looking walls. Derby’s history of one of our most notorious and storied landmarks makes for compelling reading.

The Warm Sun on My Face: the Story of Women’s Cricket in New Zealand. Trevor Auger with Adrienne Simpson
Women’s cricket in New Zealand continues to go from strength to strength. New Zealand women played their first Test match in 1935 against England. The national team known as the White Ferns won the Cricket World Cup in 2000 and have made the final on three other occasions. If you follow the game at all then this encyclopaedic work is for you.