Keith Sinclair's history was a pathfinding book. (Marti Friedlander)
Keith Sinclair's book A History of New Zealand was published in 1959 and, for decades to come, was the standard general history of the country.
Not only did it discuss the emergence of New Zealand nationalism and ideas of the national character - such as modesty, courage and individualism -
but it gave due respect to Maori people and their issues.
It was a pathfinding book with ideas that other historians - such as Claudia Orange, Judith Binney, James Belich and Michael King - built on and challenged.
Looking back at Sinclair's career, the Herald commented that dedication to historical truth put him at odds with some recent reinterpretations of New Zealand's past.
"As a pioneer of recognition of the Maori point of view, he was well-qualified to criticise the modern inclination to romanticise one side of racial conflict and judge the other by sensibilities of the present."
