Why go to the Riviera by: Peter Shaw

Why go to the Riviera: Images of Wellington - taking its title from Evelyn Page's early 1950s images of Oriental Bay - is a selection of 100 paintings, prints and photographs of Wellington city and its surroundings. They have been sourced from public and private collections throughout New Zealand or used here by courtesy of individual artists and their dealers. Many of the images are by well-known artists - however, there are more than a few unusual finds, some of them provocative.

Hardcover 195 pages. $54.99

Dimensions: 29cm x 26cm

Look This Way by: Sally Blundell (editor)

What is it about a particular work of art that siezes your attention? That holds your gaze then pulls you back time and time again? In Look This Way seventeen writers - novelists, poets, essayists, a lyricist, a dramatist, a comic book writer and artist - answer these seemingly straightforward questions, each writing on a New Zealand artist of their choice. They tell stories, find treasures and make connections but above all they look hard at the art works and engage with the artists, while inviting the reader to share their perspective. Their responses show how works of art can play on the senses, the imagination and the memory of the viewer.

Hardcover 154 pages. $41.99

Dimensions: 24cm x 17cm

The Desire of the Line by: Kriselle Baker

Alongside the large abstract paintings for which he is so much admired, Ralph Hotere has throughout his career produced countless beautiful figurative works - drawings and paintings. Kriselle Baker introduces these works and presents a rich selection of 142 images focusing especially on the gorgeous 'Woman' series, a constant in Hotere's work from the 1960's. These are wonderfully varied, many composed of the simplest lines effortlessly suggesting warmth, intimacy and pleasure; others have flashs of colour or denser lines.

Paperback 156 pages. $45.99

Dimensions: 25cm x 20cm

Treasures from the Hocken Collections by: Stuart Strachan and Linda Tyler (editors)

Ka Taoka Hakena; Treasures from the Hocken Collections is a treasure trove of modern and historical paintings, photographs and drawings, maps and plans, books, newspapers and posters, sheet music, sound recordings, and early New Zealand manuscripts from the 17th century to the present day. This beautiful book celebrates the centenary of the Hocken's foundation.

Hardcover 240 pages. $59.99

Dimensions: 25cm x 22cm

Something for the Birds by: Jacqueline Fahey

Well known artist Jacqueline Fahey, traces her roots from her childhood in Timaru back to her Irish ancestors and describes her bohemian life as an art student in Christchurch. A tapestry of personal and family stories. Fahey has always lived flamboyantly and her position as a painter in the vanguard of feminism is clear.

Paperback 216 pages. $29.99

Dimensions: 23cm x 17cm

Hiapo by: John Pule & Nicholas Thomas

Hiapo: Past and Present In Nuiean Barkcloth, is an inspired encounter with a brilliant but neglected art form, the painted hiapo (barkcloth or tapa) of Niue Island in central Polynesia. Most known pieces of Hiapo were produced in the mid to late nineteenth century and are now dispersed, largely in museum collections, all over the world. They offer a window in time when the missionary impact was deepening and Niuean life was changing forever. Arts laureate John Pule who was born in Nuie has been inspired by Hiapo and a series of his etchings is included in the book.

Hardcover 160 pages. $55.95

Dimensions: 26cm x 19cm

Crafted by Design by: Jeanette Cook

Ancient legend has it that Kiwis can achieve anything with a piece of number-eight wire. This book shows that today we can do the same with balls of wool, lumps of rock, lenghts of fabric, bits of bone, sheets of perspex and any other material that springs to mind, whether within reach or hard to find. You name it: we've woven, hammered, moulded, carved or otherwise crafted it into objects of enduring beauty, for occasional adornment or daily use. Crafted by Design is a true story about Kiwi ingenuity. It captures craft artists and their work in their studios and covers the craft movement from the 1960's when the studio craft movement took hold to the emergence of exciting contempory design elements.

Paperback 150 pages. $54.99

Dimensions: