On Thursday the 14th of November, Unity Books Wellington was proud to host the launch of Rivers: New Zealand’s Shared Legacy by David and Aliscia Young. This book is a revised and rewritten version of David’s 1986 collaboration with Bruce Foster, and is an emotive portrait of the present state of New Zealand’s waterways and of the special place rivers hold in our communities and in our sense of national identity.
Full House
It was a typically beautiful sunny evening in Wellington but that didn’t stop guest streaming through the doors to attend the launch of this important book, completing a very full house at Unity Books. First to speak was Jenny Hellen from Random House Publishing who acknowledged and thanked the book’s many sponsors and collaborators including Fish & Game and Forest & Bird, adding that it seemed to be a book the whole country had come together to publish.
Next came Bryce Johnson from Fish & Game, to officially launch the book. Bryce spoke of how the political standing of our rivers had changed since the beginning of his career and of their undisputed essentiality to our land, pronouncing this a timely book that he hoped would give further integrity to the debate around clean water in New Zealand.
Aliscia Young, the photographer spoke of her approach, painting a palate of each river, it’s own unique voice and of the communities associated with them. She wished to focus on capturing the light, colour and existing beauty in the natural world, so as to portray a sense of hope for the future rivers and of their protection. She acknowledged the enjoyment both she and her father had during the book’s production and thanked the publishers and sponsors that made this possible.
Finally David Young spoke of his motivations to republish and rewrite this book nearly 30 years on, also acknowledging the changing political and cultural landscape of rivers in New Zealand. He spoke of his wish that both books stand as factual histories, passed on to future generations to preserve the state and beauty of these rivers and to testify to the their importance in sustaining not only our biodiversity but also New Zealand’s values and our sense of belonging to the land.
David delivered a memorable speech, watched on by Jenny Hellen from Random House and his daughter and collaborator Aliscia.
Copies signed by the father and daughter were eagerly sought after.
Unity Books Wellington would like to thank David, Aliscia, Bryce, Random House, and all those who turned up to launch this book. David hopes that through New Zealand’s love for our rivers, this book will cross many cultural, political, aesthetic and recreational boundaries in the years to come.
You can purchase Rivers at our online store here.
