July 06, 2018
He Kupu Tuku Iho hits bestseller chart
A book in te reo Māori by scholars Sir Timoti Karetu and Wharehuia Milroy has sold out its initial print run in three days and is heading for a reprint.
He Kupu Tuku Iho includes discussions between the two about key aspects of Māori language and culture including mana, tapu, wairua, whakapapa, ritual, farewell speeches and Māori humour.
Sam Elworthy from Auckland University Press says the initial print run was 1200, and another 1000 have been ordered.
He says while some booksellers were skeptical about whether a book solely in te reo would find an audience, the creation has been incredible.
"At the launch and then over the weekend on a website the orders were just pouring in from individuals all over the country and small groups and so on. We sold out the whole print run in about 3 days which has never happened to us before. It will be high up on the seller list when it comes out next week so it has been very exciting," he says.
Sam Elworthy expects He Kupu Tuku Iho will have a long life, and it’s the start the the press’s plans to produce a library of 100 books in te reo Māori.
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