We have all heard of Sir Edmund Hilary being one of the first ever to reach the summit of Mt Everest (along with Tenzing Norgay). We know about amazing Jean Batten in her flights across the world. But they had other gobsmacking adventures too – nearly losing their lives multiple times!

Edmund Hilary also crossed Antarctica in a convoy of tractors, with crevasses opening around them or even under them as they raced to the South Pole.

Jean Batten was on one of her record breaking flights across the ocean when her plane engine just stopped! Dropping to the ocean below she tried everything to restart her engine, and finally believed she was going to die at sea, until the remarkable happened…

14 year old Laura Dekker sailed around the world alone, breaking records set before her, but she spent many nights battered by storms and waves determined to sink her boat.

An even smaller boat – in fact, a kayak, was all Paul Caffyn used to circumnavigate Australia between December 1981 and December 1982. Not only was he interesting to sharks along the way, he had to try and hide from cyclones that had him trapped on a tiny island all alone.

Master carver Matahi Brightwell and a chance meeting with a Tahitian navigator had them proving to the world that Polynesians did indeed travel to Aotearoa with nothing but the stars and their skills in a traditional waka.

There is so much more to tell in this new collection of NZ Adventurers. With even more epic tales inside, this non-fiction compilation is bursting with action, danger, wonder and of course – adventure. Did you know that New Zealander Helen Thayer has been named by National Geographic as one of the greatest explorers of the 20th Century? Dive into this collection to learn more about her treks across the world, and other Kiwi’s who have only just completed theirs.

Yet again, Maria Gill has skillfully turned non-fiction into riveting stories to enjoy. Along with Marco Ivancic’s stunning illustrations, these brave NZ Adventurer’s amazing tales come alive on the page.

With a double spread introduction of each adventurer, accompanied by another full spread of story and maps, the reader gets an inside look at ten voyages and journeys.

Full of fascinating facts and feats, finishing with a full page of information to help with reader’s own adventures.

Author – Maria Gill

Illustrator – Marco Ivancic

Non-Fiction

Age – 7+

(2023, Upstart Press, NZ, New Zealand, Kiwis, Aotearoa, Adventure, Action, Trek, Sail, Kayak, Bicycle, Aeroplane, Cyclones, Animals, Poachers, Rebels, Danger, Non-Fiction, Courage, Bravery)