The traditional legend of how Lake Wakatipu was formed, beautifully retold by Peter Gossage.
Peter Gossage was the storyteller and illustrator of more than 20
books for children. His powerful retelling of Maori myths and
legends have captivated the children of New Zealand for
generations.
Peter's first job on leaving school was at an advertising agency,
and his drawings of Maori motifs on a television commercial drew
interest from a publisher. This led to a career retelling and
illustrating Maori legends for children. He also worked as a
display artist at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and as a
graphic designer and scenic artist at TV2.
With his first book How Maui-tiki-tiki-a-Taranga Found His Mother
published in 1975, Peter's iconic illustration style and
deceptively simple storytelling will be familiar to many as
classics in New Zealand homes and classrooms. He was a master of
retelling important Maori myths, including Hinemoa and Tutanekai
and Pania of the Reef. Many of the legends feature the hero Maui -
also called the quick-witted and the trickster - whose exploits
include slowing the sun in its course across the sky, fishing up
the North Island/Te Ika a Maui and discovering the secret of
fire.
The powerful combination of dramatic and distinctive illustrations
with minimal yet evocative text has earned each tale its place
among the beloved classics of our literature. Peter's stories will
never lose their relevancy for New Zealand children, and many of
his stories have been made into short films that are played on
Maori Television.
In 2013, Peter was awarded the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a
Much-Loved Book for How Maui Slowed the Sun.
Peter passed away on July 30, 2016.
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