The face of nature: An environmental history of the Otago Peninsula by Jonathan West

Abstract

The Otago Peninsula has long been a taonga to Māori; important for its coastal resources, its fisheries and its highly productive land. The first and subsequent European settlers to arrive in the area also appreciated its rich soils and potential as a farming region. In Jonathan West’s The Face of Nature, based on his 2009 doctoral thesis, a unique history of this diverse region is offered for the historian, geographer, student, local resident or generally interested reader. This is one of those publications we did not know we lacked, until its appearance showed us what we were missing.