Where The River Runs - A Journey from Summit to Sea

Where The River Runs - A Journey From Summit To Sea

Project 2020-06-26 10:17:32 +1200

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who's pledged so far! We're stoked to be over our minimum target but just want to reiterate that we're using PledgeMe to figure out how many copies to print – so will be leaving the pre-orders here open until August 2 - remember to select the format & postage combo you're after on the right :)

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In the calm days of 2017, a group of young(ish) NZers set out to follow the length of the Waikato river – starting on foot, tramping to the summit of Ruapehu then kayaking around Taupō and down all the way to Port Waikato – a month-long journey of more than 400 kilometres. Inspired first by their adventuring outside of New Zealand, 'Where The River Runs' is the record of this more local journey and all the learning that comes with connecting to the place we call home.

Combining photography, research, and lived experience, the book charts a path through the complicated layers that make up modern New Zealand, from colonial invasion to the building of dams, contemporary efforts to restore river health and the tentative emergence of Pākehā culture, posing the question, 'What does it mean to live well in this place?'

The project has evolved a lot since we finished the journey in March 2017, but is now finished, laid out and ready to go! However, in order to get it over the line, we need your help to raise the printing costs: a form of pre-purchase that will be rewarded with a physical copy when we hit our goal.

Sample pages:

Admin / more details:

The money raised will be used to cover the costs of publication, as well as helping us to organise a small launch and exhibition where we hope to have additional copies of the book for sale as well as a number to gift to all the people who helped us along the way. We've deliberately set the minimum target as low as possible to ensure that we get over the line, but the pre-pay structure we're using means that the sky is the limit – so don't be afraid to share with any friends you think might like the yarn! Any remaining profits will be donated to Million Meters, a local charity working to help river restoration groups achieve their goals. 

We anticipate printing and postage to take approximately two weeks from the end of this fundraiser, so you can expect your copies by mid-August. As we see it, this is a low risk project – the book is 100% finished, we have printing quotes and a launch planned – but we've chosen to self-publish for the independence, diversity and community it allows, and because a big part of our approach with the whole mission was to "walk the talk" ourselves, collectively. No person stands alone, and – as the book makes clear – there is huge strength in organising and collaborating. In the words of John, just one of many strangers who came to help when we needed it: "That's what it's all about – community spirit!"

If you have any questions, you can hit us up on our social media, otherwise we just want to thank everyone who's helped us get this far – and thanks to you for your support, and the role that it plays in getting this project up and out into the world. May there be plenty more adventures to come! x

Credits:

Design and map by Nick Blazey

Words by Dan Kelly

Photographs (and mission!) by Benn Hanns, Nick Blazey, Trent Hicks, Dan Kelly, Shannon Weaver, Sophie Blazey and Mat Piaggi.

Short film (to be shown at the launch!) by Sophie Blazey 

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