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A Conversation With My Country

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A Conversation With My Country

By: Alan Duff
Narrated by: Alan Duff
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About this listen

 A fresh, personal account of New Zealand, now, from one of our hardest-hitting writers. Following Once Were Warriors, Alan Duff wrote Maori: The Crisis and the Challenge. His controversial comments shook the country. A quarter of a century later, New Zealand and Maoridom are in a very different place. And so is Alan – he has published many more books, had two films made of his works, founded the Duffy Books in Homes literacy programme and endured ‘some less inspiring moments, including bankruptcy’. Returned from living in France, he views his country with fresh eyes, as it is now: homing in on the crises in parenting, our prisons, education and welfare systems and a growing culture of entitlement that entraps Pakeha and Maori alike. Never one to shy away from being a whetstone on which others can sharpen their own opinions, Alan tells it how he sees it.©2019 Alan Duff (P)2019 Bolinda Publishing Artists, Architects & Photographers Politics & Government

Critic Reviews

'Duff's examination of contemporary New Zealand is a personal one ... With statistical and anecdotal back-up, Duff makes his case, often a damning one, against the worst of Pakeha and Maori society ... there is no doubt that A Conversation continues a necessary dialogue.' (Sunday Star Times)
'... a characteristically thoughtful and constructive look at the pockets of pathological behaviours our welfare state has nurtured for decades.' (Dr Bryce Wilkinson, National Business Review)
'[A Conversation With My Country] is part memoir, part provocative debate, and part firmly stated advice on how the various peoples of NZ, whatever their origins, colour, race or background should behave ... As he always is, Duff is as honest about himself as he is about others.' (Graeme Barrow, Manawatu Guardian)

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Great book

this is a book every new Zealander should read or listen to, the way Alan Duff tells it hard hitting straight to the point and so true, we'll done great book

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Imperative read for every New Zealander

I am a Maori / Fijian raised among gangs. I am also a university graduate and run my own businesses.
This book reiterates many things that I have seen, experienced and believe.
I applaud the efforts of this author, who spoke candidly of his own experiences and his educated worldview, backed by research and statistics, not opinion. So many home truths that too many turn a blind eye to, or are too proud to admit. While my upbringing wasn’t the greatest, it also wasn’t the worst. Regardless or maybe in spite of my upbringing, I have forged my own path and celebrate anyone who does the same. I love my country and my people and continue to champion their efforts, whilst carefully watching in the hopes the pendulum doesn’t swing to far the other way. I agree with a lot of what Duff has voiced in this book and pray that we as a nation, continue to break the constraints of archaic thinking, but continue to innovate and improve as a nation as people, whilst “keeping our heads” and especially our integrity.
Kia kaha, me toku tautoko to mahi, nga mihi e hoa!

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You broke the circle

There were a few things that I didn't agree with h but I guess you'd say that's ok I have my opinions and you yours. Even though I have those opinions, I thought your perspective was a good insight into your experiences, knowledge and observations

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Hard hitting & Honest

Dufff's commentary provides a truth all NZ'ers should listen to whether we like it or not. At what point are Māori going to take ownership of their choices though I know there are a lot of disadvantages we and I say I as a Māori person cannot continue to blame the Pākehā for our choices to mistreat our children kill our babies beat our partners and continue to create dysfunctional people. Thank you for having the courage to tell it how it is.

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