The lively memoir of one of New Zealand's wittiest art, urbanism and social commentators. Legendary art commentator Hamish Keith returned to much-deserved national attention when his television series and accompanying book The Big Picture seized the imagination of New Zealanders. The high-rating show and bestselling book rekindled fresh enthusiasm for the complex and fascinating story of our art heritage and cemented Keith's stature as one of our most engaging, confronting and witty cultural commentators. Native Wit, Keith's witty, revealing memoir, gives readers an insight into his well-lived, rich and immensely varied life. Whether as a confrere of Colin McCahon, the chairman of the Arts Council, husband of Oscar-winning film costume designer Ngila Dickson, bon vivant and accomplished chef or arch enemy of doddering bureaucrats, Keith has a dynamic personality and a trenchant analysis that makes him a pleasure to read.

"Since the first artist drew a New Zealand image 365 years ago, New Zealand art has been the two-dimensional expression of a place where cultures mixed, matched, fought, loved and developed a unique cultural history, one that continues to evolve. In six taut, provocative and passionate essays, Hamish Keith surveys New Zealand art and brings together the various strands of our cultural history, showing that they are never separate or unrelated but rather that together they tell the story of who we are. Based upon the six-part TVNZ series The Big Picture, and with over 300 illustrations, this book is an indispensable survey of New Zealand's remarkable artistic heritage"--Cover.

Gathers recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare, as well as desserts and picnic dishes, offered at the Australian restaurant.

"..Provides an introduction to the history of painting in New Zealand. It gives an illustrated commentary on the principal artists and important tendencies of each period.