Author:
Paul W. Feenstra is a historical fiction novelist. Meticulously researched and detailed, his character driven novels create a dramatic window into our chronicled and complex past. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1959, to Dutch immigrants, Paul still commutes to Los Angeles, California, where he worked as a multiple ‘Emmy’ nominated entertainment industry professional.


Believing God speaks to him through the archangel Gabriel, and anointed with powers, Te Ua unites his people through a common cause. He is determined to drive the imperial oppressors from Maori land and return New Zealand to the righteous.

In early 1860’s New Zealand, the beautiful region of Taranaki is engulfed in a brutal land war. Continuing with its unpopular policy, the New Zealand government, bolstered by British soldiers, seeks punitive and severe action against rebel Maori who openly resist the Government’s determined effort to confiscate their lands.  With regular army forces ill equipped to fight in the wilderness, the specialist highly trained ‘Forest Rangers’ are tasked to pursue rebel Maori deep into the rugged bush clad hills.

The Rangers newest recruit, Moana (Ira) Rangitira, a veteran of the Crimean war, shows remarkable and unusual skills, Maori fear and call him, ‘The ghost who walks’. Ira faces challenges that test his will to survive, and can he protect what is closest to his heart, or has everything been destroyed?

‘The Breath of God’ is the first novel in the Moana Rangitira adventure series.

A Soldier's Journey

"Who is the preacher, is he a chief?" asked Eleanor. 


They were standing outside in the sunshine shortly after theconclusion of the service.


"The Te Aro Pa has no ranking chief to speak of. Minarapa is much loved by the people here, and because most of them are Christians and members of the Wesleyan Methodist church, they turn to him as a leader."


 "Why is this land in question?" asked Andrew.


"The people here believe that the area known as Te Aro was never included in the original land transactions agreed to in the early stages of the negotiations aboard the Tory. Chief Te Wharepouri quietly insists this had been a condition of the agreement and this land was never included in the original Port Nicholson land purchase. Colonel Wakefield maintains it was included and believes he has every right to begin surveying and begin determining allotment boundaries for colonists."


Chapter 21