Kiwitown's Port
Gavin McLean's The Governors (on display in the vitrines) was a major publication in 2006. For the author it involved research at the National Library of Scotland and Windsor Castle archives, and finally a book launch (and free lunch) at Government House, Wellington. The speeches were succinct: McLean received a gift-wrapped copy of his own book to which he replied to the Governor-General: 'Thank you, but I've read it.' The genesis of his Kiwitown's Port was more humble. When asked by the owners of Admas Bookshop in Oamaru for his 1982 title on Oamaru Harbour, he realized there was a demand. The Press also felt there was a demand and asked for a new version. McLean responded by writing an entirely new book, one of OUP's most recent titles.
Gavin McLean, Kiwitown's Port. The Story of Oamaru Harbour (2008).