The Spirit Remains

Lucy Chappell has already survived one great love and one great loss. Now, as the 1890s unfold, she must raise Hōhepa's children, navigate a changing country, and welcome unlikely new alliances, including the enigmatic hairdresser Charles Patterson, whose past carries more shadows than he reveals.

Across the world, artist Colin Greenwood struggles to rebuild his life in Eastbourne after losing his partner, Josh. When Charles arrives with difficult questions, long-buried connections resurface.

Through it all, Wiremu—elder, mentor, peacemaker—guides the next generation, preparing his son Wiri for an uncertain future as the world moves toward war.

In the present day, Ngaroma follows the trail of her ancestors, uncovering secrets and discovering that the past is never as distant as it seems.

From Hamilton to Kāwhia and beyond, The Spirit Remains is a powerful story of loss and resilience, of whānau across generations, and of the pounamu that carries their unbroken story forward. Even when histories are hidden, some bonds refuse to fade, and spirits endure.