Search results for ""Upstart Press Ltd""

Spanning the four seasons of a year, “Necessary Secrets” tells the story of Dennis (Den) Sparks and his three adult children. Starting with Den contemplating his mortality on the day of his 70th birthday, the year ahead is told from four different points of view. A searing picture of NZ society today, the family deals with love, loss, financial struggles, drugs, domestic violence, and all the issues that Kiwis deal with daily. As he has done in his plays and his screen-writing, McGee turns a spotlight on the relationships and social issues of New Zealanders while making for an entertaining read.

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Inspired by the the adventure annuals of the 50s and 60s, Flying Furballs Take-off! is a large format full-colour collection of stories and fun facts, comprising: An exciting 25 page full-colour comic (split over 4 sections) Maps and character bios How to draw Flying Furballs characters A look and find spread Cut-away diagrams of iconic WW1 aircraft Puzzling problems with the code-crackers at Barkly Park Funnies and comic strips Dogfight tactics and manoeuvres, and . An outrageous new stand alone Furballs story - an excerpt from Major Tom's Autobiography High as a Kite.

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An hilarious tale about an epic event, written from a unique perspective. To be able to appreciate the story, the reader needs to be young at heart, have a vivid imagination and a love for adventure. If that sounds like you, join the writer on his journey, and experience his daily ups and downs with him. The Tour Aotearoa is a mountain bike ‘brevet’ (a timed, long-distance cycling event) covering the length of New Zealand. It starts at the most northern point of the North Island, Cape Reinga, and finishes at Stirling Point, just south of Bluff at the bottom of the South Island. The Tour is held biennially and requires participants to follow a set route covering 3,000 km which consists of existing mountain bike trails scattered throughout the country and connected by back country roads. The Tour is unsupported, so participants carry their own gear. To be awarded the brevet, the riders need to cover the full distance within 30 days. The writer took part in the 2018 edition of the Tour. His experience was different from what he expected. He encountered all types of challenges, from getting lost to physical ailments, serious weather events and loneliness. In between he had plenty of time to contemplate and let his thoughts and imagination run free. It helped him pass the time. He was seen late at night, furiously hammering away on his laptop, regardless of how tired he was, reliving the events and contemplations of the day. It helped him make sense of his journey and how it fitted into the complex world we live in. He called it his ‘administration’.

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Respected and award winning New Zealand travel writer Peter Janssen uncovers some of the North Island’s unknown treasures that most New Zealanders didn’t even know existed! “I have travelled just about every road and visited every town in the country, but I’m drawn to the quirky places bypassed by travellers and the eccentric characters that have great stories to tell. This book is a varied collection of places that I think are worth a detour,” says Peter. In the South Island, how about a visit to the Hokonui Moonshine Museum, Monkey Island or Sock World? Or our very own ‘Niagara Falls’ which plummets to a deathdefying fall of about half a metre. You can visit New Zealand’s only solar salt works, or Harwood Hole with the deepest and longest cave system in the country or Quartzopolis Town of Light. Worth a Detour is divided into geographic areas, each entry includes descriptions, history, directions and addresses. Colour sections of photographs bring the text to life and location maps help plan your itinerary.

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Renowned travel writer Peter Janssen, has crisscrossed the country to find more than 200 quirky, unusual and beautiful destinations that are off the beaten track and generally unknown – until now! While most probably known to locals, these attractions are often bypassed by visitors heading for more advertised tourist locations. Who was Ready Money Robinson? What is the Fence of Death? Where is Ted’s bottle? Every destination has been photographed, allowing you a sneak peek to decide where to visit on your next New Zealand road-trip.

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Polly the parrot is rude and grumpy because she's fed up with people asking "Does Polly Want a Cracker?" Then when she is banned from the zoo and sent to a pet shop, something amazing happens. Hilarious picture book from a well-known New Zealand author. Stephanie has always loved books and reading, and spent much of her Glenfield childhood lying around reading books instead of playing sports. She also loved drawing and painting, especially sketching people and drawing caricatures of those around her. Starting her working life in libraries, she later became a graphic designer and worked in Auckland and Dublin, all the while dreaming of someday making children's books. Her first picture book was Great Galloping Galoot about a clumsy giraffe. Polly Does NOT want a cracker! Is her eighth publication. Stephanie lives with her husband and three young boys in Huia, West Auckland.

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Planning for retirement can be a scary thought, whether it is just around the corner or years in the future. Martin Hawes, one of New Zealand’s best-known experts on personal finance, answers all of the questions that may be keeping you up at night: How much will I need to retire? Can I ever afford to stop working? How do I make sure my money lasts as long as I do? Working out how you can achieve a regular monthly retirement income is more difficult than it used to be. Historically low interest rates (despite the current blip) plus longer life expectancy means the old method of parking your nest egg in a savings account and living off the interest is no longer an option. Hawes guides you step-by-step through the planning process, showing you how you can safely create a regular income for the rest of your life. Cracking Open the Nest Egg will help you to confidently take control of your financial future and achieve the kind of retirement you always dreamed of.

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One Lonely Kakapo has been a classic New Zealand counting book since the early 1990s when it won the Russell Clark Award. It combines counting with our native fauna and flora, stunningly illustrated by one of our most celebrated nature artists, with a memorable rhyme kids have loved for generations.

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Flying Furballs, a hilarious action-packed adventure series, captures the romance and excitement of the era at the dawn of aviation — set in a world of cats versus dogs. Put simply, Flying Furballs is pussycats, planes and Paris. Our hero is Claude D’Bonair, a young pilot in the cat air corp, keen to prove his worth to the older pilots and live up to the memory of his father. Will cats and dogs ever live in harmony again? Will Claude survive with his nine lives intact? In Downfall, Claude uncovers the DOGZ spy at CATS HQ and an epic catfight develops . . . but just who will be left standing.

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Flying Furballs, a hilarious action-packed adventure series, captures the romance and excitement of the era at the dawn of aviation — set in a world of cats versus dogs. Put simply, Flying Furballs is pussycats, planes and Paris. Our hero is Claude D’Bonair, a young pilot in the cat air corp, keen to prove his worth to the older pilots and live up to the memory of his father. Will cats and dogs ever live in harmony again? Will Claude survive with his nine lives intact? In Double Cross Claude and Syd are on leave in London when they are called on for one of their most dangerous missions yet. Who is the traitor that is working against CATS?

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White Cloud Books publish the leading guides on travelling, walking, nature-watching, eating and drinking and cultural interests in New Zealand. Over 200,000 UK citizens visit New Zealand every year. Lonely Planet recently voted New Zealand as one of its top five countries in the world to visit? The Land of the Long White Cloud is currently one of the hottest travel destinations in the world.

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The popular pocket Photographic Guide covers nearly 20 books. From Alpine Plants to Insects, Freshwater Fish to Rocks and Minerals. Each book has been written by renowned experts in their field with photographs throughout the series. They are compact, easy-to-use guides which are the ideal car glovebox, pocket or backpack reference for anyone with an interest in natural history.

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Retired judge Rosemary Riddell shares her reminiscences of life on the bench, complete with its humour, frustrations and poignant moments. A unique glimpse into a world most of us can only imagine, her story is a fascinating commentary on New Zealand life from the point of view of a woman involved in the top levels of our justice system.

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THOSE WHO GET BACK UP, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WILL BE REWARDED. When Emma Twigg started rowing it was difficult and not always fun. But as she stuck at it, she grew to be a world-class rower. So, winning an Olympic medal would be easy, right? Wrong. This is the remarkable true story of a young New Zealand rower who over twenty years proved she was more than worthy of claiming victory. And how resilience, hard graft, team work and self-belief will ultimately bring home gold.

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The popular pocket Photographic Guide covers nearly 20 books. From Alpine Plants to Insects, Freshwater Fish to Rocks and Minerals. Each book has been written by renowned experts in their field with photographs throughout the series. They are compact, easy-to-use guides which are the ideal car glovebox, pocket or backpack reference for anyone with an interest in natural history.

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Donovan Bixley re-tells the story of how Maui captured the secret of fire. The traditional tale but with Donovan’s unique twist and trademark humour. The pictures are bright and bring their own level of humour to the book. Darryn Joseph and Keri Opai ensure that the story is accurate and culturally appropriate and translate the story for the Te Reo edition.

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Respected and award winning New Zealand travel writer Peter Janssen uncovers some of the North Island’s unknown treasures that most New Zealanders didn’t even know existed! “I have travelled just about every road and visited every town in the country, but I’m drawn to the quirky places bypassed by travellers and the eccentric characters that have great stories to tell. This book is a varied collection of places that I think are worth a detour,” says Peter. In the North Island did you know Te Awamutu had a space centre? Or that we have a Riff Raff Statue in tribute to The Rocky Horror Picture Show? Or how about a visit to Carlucci Land that feels like you’ve stepped onto a set of a Mad Max movie. Worth a Detour is divided into geographic areas, each entry includes descriptions, history, directions and addresses. Colour sections of photographs bring the text to life and location maps help plan your itinerary.

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Conspiracy theories: What do people believe, and why? How have they come to this place, and what does it mean for us all? By speaking to experts and those with personal experience of conspiracy culture, Dylan Reeve conveys what it means to believe and their relation to modern Aoteaora. Fake Believe should leave you feeling informed about our current time, and some of what's come before. It should offer an understanding of what others believe, and it should deliver a fairly consistent series of 'WTF' moments.

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Extraordinary stories from a lifetime spent conducting interviews. This is the world of the dreaded door-knock from the other side of the door. Trish Palmer has been working as an interviewer and area manager for market research companies for over 20 years, invited into the homes and private lives of an astonishing array of folk from every lifestyle imaginable. Her experiences on the job entail everything from bare bottoms to angry cats, the desperately struggling to the well-off, and everyone in between. There is comedy and sadness, surprises and the downright odd, from witches to boat-builders, dope growers and more. Poignant, hilarious, and always thought-provoking, this is a highly entertaining read.

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Donovan Bixley re-tells the story of Maui fishing up North Island! The traditional tale but with Donovan’s unique twist and trademark humour. The pictures are bright and bring their own level of humour to the book. Darryn Joseph ensures that the story is accurate and culturally appropriate

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Designed to help the buyer to make informed choices about the best quality wines available, this title is firmly established as the most authoritative and sought-after guide to New Zealand wines. Updated yearly with new tasting notes and ratings, this is a ‘must-have’ publication for the new initiate and the established wine-buff alike. Divided by grape variety to help selection, this comprehensive guide includes vintage ratings, star ratings for quality, and a dryness/sweetness guide. Other features include Classic Wines: wines that consistently achieve an outstanding level of quality for at least three vintages.

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Child prodigy, genius, freak, a man who lived frivolously and died a pauper… The myths surrounding Mozart, composer of some of the world’s most sublime music, have long overtaken the known facts of his life. Now, in this charming and very personal tribute, artist Donovan Bixley offers a portrait of the composer that will forever change the way he is viewed. In nearly 100 original drawings and paintings, accompanied by text based on the many letters that he wrote during his life, beginning with the delightful, if misspelt, letters he wrote as a thirteen-year-old boy travelling in Italy with his father. Like his successful “Much Ado About Shakespeare”, Bixley brings Mozart to life with humour but also reflects the turmoil of the times in which he lived. This is a newly rendered version of the book successfully published in 2006.

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This is rustic fare for everyday Kiwis that's fit to feed a rugby team! Daisy and Amber should know, as partners of All Blacks Israel Dagg and Victor Vito they have a wealth of experience creating mouthwatering meals that are not only delicious but healthy enough for an athlete. In The Rugby Pantry they share not only recipes and cooking tips but also personal anecdotes and private tidbits -- the same combination that has made them a Facebook sensation. From hearty winter fare such as Red Wine & Garlic Lamb Shanks with Herbed Mash & Cabbage or Sage and Milk Poached Crispy Pork Belly with Home-Made Spiced Apple Sauce, to light, quick and healthy such as Skinny Man's Butter Chicken or Crispy Skin Salmon with Ginger Kumara Mash; from delicious desserts such as Tamarillo Tart or Apple & Feijoa Crumble to the slightly unusual (Rice Bubble Prawns or Kiwi Pineapple Lump Slice), The Rugby Pantry has the right recipes for your family, whether you be sportspeople or just Kiwis who love a good hearty meal.

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Naturalist and author Brian Parkinson follows the main highways and back country roads, stopping off at New Zealand’s most spectacular locations. The country’s isolation for millions of years means its flora and fauna are unique. Parkinson highlights forest birds, towering trees, glacial lakes and active volcanoes which make New Zealand special. from isolated beaches and out on the water, he draws attention to the seabirds and mammals off New Zealand’s coast. But this is not just a road trip exploring the country’s beauty spots. Parkinson writes that ‘natural history is as much about history as it is about nature’ and examines how New Zealand’s natural environment has dramatically changed since people first stepped ashore. What we see today is the result of what happened in the past and all New Zealanders should explore the unique wildlife on our doorstep. It’s just a road trip away.

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The New Zealand Cricket Almanack is the cricket lover’s bible and is regarded worldwide as one of the finest books of its kind. The 75th edition contains all the details of another full year of cricket at all levels.

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A selected group of NZ writers have chosen a favourite New Zealander to write an essay on. These pieces are personal, illuminating and often moving. Around 5,000 words per essay, the writers had full choice on who to write about and what approach to take, so there is great variety in the styles. Writers are; Lloyd Jones on Paul Melser (potter), Paula Morris on Matiu Rata (politician), Catherine Robertson on Dame Margaret Sparrow (doctor and health advocate), Greg McGee on Ken Gray (all black), Stephanie Johnson on Carole Beu (bookseller), Malcolm Mulholland on Ranginui Walker(academic) Selina Tusitala Marsh on Albert Wendt (writer), Elspeth Sandys on Rewi Alley (writer and activist), and Paul Thomas on John Wright (cricketer).

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Dating the Kiwi Male recounts the dates of Kiwi women looking for a Kiwi man - the fun, the funny, the awkward and the ugly, all the while laughing at our own expense. What is it like to date the Wellington hipster, the Auckland yacht owner, the Queenstown ski champ, the Canterbury bogan, the Waikato dairy farmer? Are they true to form, or is the Kiwi man misunderstood? Dating the Kiwi Male provides comedy in spades. If you take yourself seriously, this book isn’t for you.

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The New Zealand Cricket Almanack is the cricket lover's bible and is regarded worldwide as one of the finest books of its kind. The 72nd edition contains all the details of another full year of cricket at all levels, including extensive coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup all the Black Caps' and White Ferns' matches. As usual, there is a detailed records section and a fascinating collection of the season's happenings.

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Whether it’s a daytrip to a local winery, a weekend away or as part of a larger holiday, which are the best New Zealand wineries to visit? In A Guide to Touring New Zealand’s Wineries, Joëlle Thomson takes you on a journey across New Zealand’s leading wine regions. She depicts the best wineries to visit and the best cycle routes to get there. She profiles the wine makers you could meet along the way, the places to stay and importantly, the best wines to take home afterwards. So raise a glass and choose which winery to visit next.

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At one time or another many have dreamed about the time when they can pack up and leave – get away from the rat race, jump aboard a campervan and travel around this beautiful country. More often than not, they talk about the dream of travelling around New Zealand and visiting sights and places they’ve so longed for over all these years. Be it part-time, fulltime or periodic, becoming a Nomad will allow you to, hopefully, experience one of the greatest new adventures of your life – travelling the most amazing, open and picturesque countries in the world, New Zealand.

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Michael Kenneth Moore was probably New Zealand’s last working-class Prime Minister and while the book is inevitably political, it is also a remarkable New Zealand story about an ordinary kiwi achieving extraordinary things. This book is based on conversations held with Mike Moore over the past 12 months and reflections on his life and career involving people who were part of it. The chapters focus on key moments in his life – growing up partially crippled in poverty in rural Northland, moving to Auckland and becoming a trade unionist and New Zealand’s youngest MP, losing his seat and fighting the Labour Party to get another one only to be diagnosed with cancer, helping make David Lange Prime Minister and beating Muldoon, the turmoil of the fourth Labour Government including becoming Prime Minister for only 59 days, taking Labour to within two seats of Government and being cruelling deposed as leader by Helen Clark in 1993, the years in wilderness when he came close to setting up a new party and not participating in a coup against Clark, his audacious campaign to become Director General of the World Trade Organisation, becoming New Zealand’s Ambassador to the US and the stroke that cut it short, and his hopes for the future. In a country that celebrates sporting success Moore’s story is also heroic because he has the same traits of smarts, hard work and determination to achieve at the highest levels – despite numerous setbacks – that all New Zealanders admire in the successful.

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The Rugby Almanack is the world’s longest running rugby book of record. It was first published in 1935 to cover the previous season’s first-class rugby in New Zealand. Since then it has been published uninterrupted (apart from two combined issues during World War II). Now in its 85th edition, the 2021 Rugby Almanack records another huge year, including the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe Cup, plus Women’s Rugby, Super Rugby, Mitre 10 Cup and Mitre 10 Championship and a full summary of sevens rugby.

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Poppa reveals a war medal in his hand to his grandson. Manu asks, ‘Did you win it?” ‘Sort of, a King gave it to me,’ the old man says. He then tells Manu how his Anzac platoon rescued the Greek King, Prime Minister and the rest of their party on a Greek Island during World War II. It’s a perilous journey trekking from one side of the island to the other, trudging up a ravine, across the White Mountains, and through a narrow gorge. They must avoid the German paratroopers landing in their thousands on the island and renegade Crete mountaineers who shoot at them, mistaking them for Germans. Due to the kindness of the village people and the dedication of the Anzac soldiers they make it to the coast and send out SOS signals. But they don’t know if the ship is friend or foe. Manu discovers a tale of bravery, teamwork and sacrifice and sees his grandfather in a new light.

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A delightful story for younger children about a Little Rhino who gets really mad but can’t explain why. In the end, everything works out just as it should! What Do You Need, Little Rhino? shows children how to find comfort when everything gets too much.

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Donovan Bixley re-tells the story of how Maui captured the secret of fire. The traditional tale but with Donovan’s unique twist and trademark humour. The pictures are bright and bring their own level of humour to the book. Darryn Joseph and Keri Opai ensure that the story is accurate and culturally appropriate and translate the story for the Te Reo edition.

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Charles Upham was the most highly decorated soldier in the Commonwealth forces of WWII, and could arguably be called the bravest soldier of the war. An unassuming stock worker/ valuer at the beginning of the war, he stormed through Crete and the Western Desert amazing and confounding his comrades with his exploits. He won two Victoria Crosses (the only combat soldier ever to do so) and in the opinion of his superiors deserved many more. Captured, he became an escape artist and ended his war in the famous Colditz POW camp. Shy and reluctant to take credit for his actions, he deflected all praise onto his soldiers and was described as “distraught” that he had been honoured. He then farmed in North Canterbury until his death in 1994, avoiding the limelight wherever possible. There has been one previous biography, “Mark of the Lion” published in 1962, which was a major bestseller and sells to this day.

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Moon is sad. She feels dull next to her bright happy sister, Sun. She hides away at night until Sun tells Moon how special she is and how she would love to share the sky with her. This beautifully illustrated children’s book explains how our differences are our strengths and how together we can make the world a better place!

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The popular pocket Photographic Guide covers nearly 20 books. From Alpine Plants to Insects, Freshwater Fish to Rocks and Minerals. Each book has been written by renowned experts in their field with photographs throughout the series. They are compact, easy-to-use guides which are the ideal car glovebox, pocket or backpack reference for anyone with an interest in natural history.

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The popular pocket Photographic Guide covers nearly 20 books. From Alpine Plants to Insects, Freshwater Fish to Rocks and Minerals. Each book has been written by renowned experts in their field with photographs throughout the series. They are compact, easy-to-use guides which are the ideal car glovebox, pocket or backpack reference for anyone with an interest in natural history.

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The Big O by Patrick Skene is the story of Olsen Filipaina, a New Zealand Hall of Fame rugby league legend who was a pathfinder for the Maori and Pasifika players who today dominate the Australian National Rugby League.

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