Rise of the To’a

Today we launched 5 bilingual Fiji children’s books at Kedgley Intermediate. The books were written by Fijian young people with the help of their families. I love this project – it’s called Ask the Elders – because it creates content for Pacific and other young people that’s written by Pacific young people and their families….

Ngā mihi to the Manurewa Marlins under 13 Maidens rugby league team – players, management and families. We did it! We published a book of your writing- sharing your stories of why you like to play rugby league, your inspirations, challenges and proud moments, and your future dreams. If anyone would like to read these…

Cool morning working with filmmaker, writer, director and actor Vela Manusaute and his sons Rocky Manusaute and Hector Polataivao, filming girls from the Manurewa Marlins u13 Maidens. The girls are writing a book called Whakapau Kaha Mārika Mātou! We Go Hard! that shares their perspectives playing rugby league and it’s awesome to catch their voices…

Today I was blessed to interview Dr Karlina Tongotea who is not only a doctor but a world champion power lifter! Lina is South Auckland- raised and comes from Māori (Ngāpuhi and Ngāi Tahu) and Tongan heritage. It was so inspiring to hear her stories and I can’t wait to share them in a new…

I had an incredible week in Raro this week. The Cook Islands Ministry of Education invited me to come and share in their literacy week celebrations. I visited lots of schools on Raro, talking to young people, and being inspired by them. This photo comes form a writing workshop I did with children at Nukutere…

Sometimes when you hear the phrase “the streets” it has negative connotations, especially the streets of places like Manurewa. That’s why I’ve been doing this project with children of Waimāhia Intermediate to change that perception. In this collection of writing the children write about the people, places and memories of their streets which are uplifting…