Philip Andrews

 

Profile for Philip Andrews

 

Philip Andrews M.A.(Hons), QSM, was formerly Head of English at Reporoa College, then at Rotorua Lakes High, later tutoring at Waiariki Polytechnic where he became Head of its Arts and Communication Department.

 

He was awarded a Q.S.M. for services to history, having been a foundation member of the Rotorua Civic and Heritage Trust, served ten years on the Bay of Plenty branch of Historic Places Trust, 20 years on the Board of Te Amorangi Museum, 13 years as editor of New Zealand Legacy, 11 years on the Whakarewarewa Forest Park Management Board, and over 25 years as President of the Rotorua & District Historical Society.

 

For more than 25 years he wrote a local newspaper column on historical topics. Among his sixteen books are three biographies, a novel, an account of the Tarawera eruption and a history of Ngongotaha. He has also written reports for Council on the Main Bath Building and the Blue Baths, and two entries for the Dictionary of NZ Biography.

 

A keen amateur geologist and former marathoner, he now enjoys walking, camping, coutdoor bowls – and writing

 

His most recent book (self-published), is Mighty Waikato : A history of the River, due out  in early November. He has written:

 

Terese (novel)

 

Tarawera and the Terraces

 

Ko Mata (biography)

 

Mokoia: A Brief History

 

Rotorua Streets

 

No Fear of Rusting (biography)

 

Ngongotaha’s Story

 

The Government Gardens

 

Stones Bones Steam

 

Women in Wonderland

 

A Bookseller for all Seasons

 

Gold and Geysers (biography)

 

Yesteryears of Rotorua

 

Lakes of Rotorua

 

Fifty Years of History

 

Mighty Waikato : a history of the river

Genre:

  • Adult Non-Fiction

Skills:

  • Editing
  • Indexing
  • Proofreading
  • Research

Branch:

Hamilton

Location:

Rotorua

Publications:

SYNOPSIS

 

                               

My latest book, The Mighty Waikato, presents the story of New Zealand’s longest river, which flows through volcanic rocks, past geyser fields, mountains, pa sites, dams and hydro-electric and coal-fired power stations, the sites of long-gone missionary stations, redoubts, a lowland of swamps and lakes, deserted hulks, farmland and the low scrubby flats bordering its seasonally whitebait-rich final reach.

 

It covers the geological past of the Waikato River; its tangata whenua cultural associations; the impact of missionary, soldier and settler; river recreations; its bridges; pollution and other problems; and kaitiakitanga. It will end with an historical tour for the motorist.

 

My book presents the river’s long, varied and fascinating history: source or location of ancient beliefs and traditions, missionary endeavours, warring races, farming successes, commercial enterprises, recreations, sporting endeavours and electricity generation.

 

 

 

There have been other books written on the

Waikato River, but this is a concise but thorough,

 well-illustrated, in-depth and readily readable history.

 

Publication is set for November 2025, Cost is $49.20, or $59.00 posted. Contact author at philjoce@slingshot.co.nz