The decision by TVNZ to commit over $5 million dollars to the most ambitious historical show ever produced in NZ has generated major headlines. The show is now in production and plans to go to air in August 2005. To tie-in with the show, but to be a stand-alone book, this comprehensive title will be the finest one volume national history produced. Written by the historians of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage who are the drivers behind the TV scripts, the book will be made accessible to ordinary New Zealanders using many panels, maps, time-lines and other visual techniques that will deliver a hardback with gift value for every home. The book covers New Zealand's history from pre-history to current day in thirteen chapters and contains 450 artworks and photographs.