Igniting a passion for writing through creative art

So awesome today that I got to speak to children at Our Lady Star of the Sea School. This week is the school’s Book Week and they have lots of activities happening to promote reading. That’s a great school man!

I spent this week visiting schools in Wellington to encourage young people to read. My main message is that books are so powerful they can change your life, as they did for people like Dr Ben Carson and Steven Adams. Whatever your talent, reading helps it grow bigger. There’s a lot of passionate librarians and…

I’m working with young writers at Flatbush School this term and today we had an inspiring visit by Raymond Sagapolutele. Raymond is a professional photographer and an amazing role model for our young Pasifika storytellers. “You are orators and your story is important,” Raymond said. “A lot of times us adults don’t listen to children,…

First showing of the art from a new book I’m making for kids about Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow aka “Hammer” an NRL player with the Dolphins. It’s awesome working with Saibai Island artist Tyrown Waigana who’s from the same clan as Hamiso. I’m so excited about this book not just because I get to work with Tyrown,…

Hanging out with Libby Gray, Rebecca Ter Borg and the legendary matua Witi Ihimaera at the Children’s Book Awards. I remember reading Pounamu Pounamu as a kid, and watching the film version of The Whale Rider with my students at TC. Never did I think I would even meet Witi, but share an event with…

On Thursday I was blessed to participate in a rangatahi programme for the uri of Te Ahiwaru – Hapuu of Ihumaatao called Te Ara a Hape. This Kaupapa was designed to support rangatahi and whānau to re-engage with education and inspire their tamariki post COVID. I felt so happy for those rangatahi in the program…