Edited by Tapu Misa and Gary Wilson. Published by Bridget Williams Books 2017. Reviewed by Colin MacLeod 

There seems nothing like an impending National Election to bring out the best or the worst of collective attitudes and understandings about each other. In the middle of promises and posturing the critical eye is drawn to the complexity of people’s lives and the broad tapestry of whānau, culture and language within Aotearoa New Zealand. The Best of e-Tangata is a timely read and gives powerful insight into aspects of our bi-cultural nation. It is a collection of interviews and articles by 19 authors, personal reflections of these women and men who celebrate, strive for or grieve for relationships, understandings and authentic justice between Pākehā, Māori and also with Pasifika peoples. It is a taonga, a treasure.

As a fairly naive Pākehā beginning university study many years ago, I remember the Māori culture lecturer starting the course by berating those present who were not Māori as being “unworthy” of the gift they would receive through the course. Over the years since I have grown to understand his warning and this book gave me the sense that a significant gift was shared by the contributors.

I found The Best of e-Tangata to be very accessible. Most contributions are about 10 pages long. It was wonderful to read one, reflect on it for a few hours or days before visiting another perspective and encountering a new human experience. I had the sense of being invited into the story and to consider my own place in the continuing narrative. This involvement continued throughout from an interview with Naida Glavish telling why she chose to pioneer the use of “kia ora” in her job as a Post Office Tolls operator — in so doing shaking the nation, to Jim Bolger’s reflection on the Urewera, to Moana Maniapoto discussing “reo refugees”.

The Best of e-Tangata is an excellent book with wit, emotion, entertainment and critical analysis shining through the storytelling. I recommend it especially to readers curious to learn more about the richness of Aotearoa cultures and languages. It will provide learning for future conversations in church, classroom and whānau.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 220, October 2017: 29.