Maori have lived on Te Tai Poutini for at least as long as anywhere else on these islands called New Zealand, bound by ancient stories and a unique affinity to pounamu. So why is the Maori story so impoverished in a region so rich in storytelling? - Paul Madgwick, from the Introduction. Poutini aims to correct this by recording the Ngai Tahu history of the West Coast. Esteemed kaumatua and 'Coaster' Paul Madgwick guides the reader through early Poutini mythology, the discovery of pounamu, the story of settlement, battles between iwi, life in the pa and contact with Europeans. The book then explores the land sales and Maori reserves, through to the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998. It is rounded off by a look at modern challenges and opportunities, and topics such as the legacy of the World Wars. Illustrated with beautiful images and extensive appendices, this is a landmark publication bringing together a lifetime of expertise and research, with special relevance to Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island).