While Australians and New Zealanders have long debated which country invented the pavlova (a large meringue dessert cake said to emulate the lightness of the famous ballerina, Anna Pavlova), the real story of the ballerina's visit to the Antipodes and the emergence of three different pavlovas was neglected. The contributions of a gelatine manufacturer, a Dunedin spinster, and numerous other New Zealand housewives are all revealed in this fascinating contribution to food history. The book shows the evolution of the three pavlova types, that their recipes have never been set in stone, and that creative and innovative cooks have played the most important roles in transforming a fashionable afternoon tea cake into an iconic dessert.

A look at some of New Zealand's historic houses - in words and in pictures. An eclectic mix, these houses, generally from the 19th century, and ranging from one-roomed cobs to country mansions, have been chosen because of their significance: they are 'a first', have been built by an architect of significance, have been lived in by notable New Zealanders. Most are open to visitors and they all have charm. A novelist, the author is interested in the houses' stories and has personally visited them all. The 60 houses are organised regionally: Northland/Auckland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Taranaki/Wanganui/Rangitikei, Gisborne/Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa, Wellington, Nelson/Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago. Linda is interested in the houses' stories and each piece is lively and accessible, giving fascinating background history. Robert Burgess, partner of the author and ex-All Black, has photographed the houses inside and out and created a great portfolio of images.

One Christmas eve Old MacDonald's farm, hushed and quiet as all are asleep, receives a visitor driving a sleigh. Oh no! On his way to deliver his gifts to kids in Kaitaia, Santa's crashed his sleigh? With knock, knock here and a knock, knock there, Santa wakens Old MacDonald for some much needed assistance. When a replacement sleigh has been made, Santa sets off into the starry sky - accompanied by a gobbling flying mate! A fantastical weaving together of two favourite kids' tales: Old MacDonald and Santa Claus.

Queenie Rikihana-Hyland brings together a collection of her favourite Maori myths and legends, from the creation and the ever-popular mischief-making of Maui, to the great love stories of Hinemoa and Tutanekai, and Turongo and Mahinarangi. In the true tradition of paki waitara (story-telling) Queenie has drawn on many sources from which to weave these tales. Previously published in 1997 as Paki Waitara, these stories have now been brought to life with the illustrations of Patrick Puru, whose work infuses the stories further with life, movement and vibrant colour.