Author: admin

I read this story about NRL player Reni Maitua this morning and found it really moving. They call depression “the black dog”. If you have those “dark thoughts” about life, about whether you have value and a bright future, I really encourage you to read this story and get help. If you know someone going…

I like the words of author Seth Godin who wrote this blog post following the death of Nelson Mandela: “For those that seek to make a change in the world, whether global or local, one lesson of his life is this: You can. You can make a difference. You can stand up to insurmountable forces….

Just wanted to give a big shout to all the teachers out there doing inspirational things with their students. It’s easy to hate on teachers, there’s a  lot of negative stereotypes out there: –  teacher said, ‘you’ll never make it, you’re headed for jail!’ –  teacher said, ‘people like you can’t learn.’ –  teacher said,…

Here’s a review of Steppin’ with Benji Marshall on the Kids Books NZ blog http://kidsbooksnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/a-sport-biography-for-children-about.html

So proud to be a “Pasifikan” after watching today’s rugby league World Cup quarter final between Fiji and Samoa. There was some of this but finished with this Proud to be a white Pasifikan today 🙂

The title of this post is a line from the “Manu Siva Tau”, the dance the Manu Samoa rugby team performs before test matches. The Manu Siva Tau was written for the 1991 Rugby World Cup, Samoa’s first World Cup. That was the tournament where Samoa scored one of the biggest shocks in rugby history…

2 poetry books being launched this week by inspirational Pasifika heroes. “Dark Sparring” by Selina Tusitala Marsh You Tube promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6nWZu8wx60&feature=share Some background information: http://www.press.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/notices/template/notice_item.jsp?cid=569290 “Afakasi Speaks” by Grace Taylor ” Does it matter, Sāmoa? I am a fleeing anthem “ (from the poem ‘Samoa Mo Samoa’ ) Here’s info about the launch: https://www.facebook.com/events/170423496491647/

People born in the years 1980-2000 are often referred to as “Generation Y”. This generation has been labelled many things by older generations: ‘Peter Pan’ generation because they take longer to grow up ‘Microwave’ generation because they want things instantly ‘Internet’ generation because they are always on their phones, Facebook, Twitter This evening the awesome…

I recently finished reading a really interesting book about Michael Jackson, called Man in the Music by Joseph Vogel. The reason I really enjoyed the book is because it’s the first time I’ve read a book that doesn’t talk about Michael’s life, but about his music.   The book gives fascinating insights about Michael’s music….

Last night students from Tangaroa College danced at Vodafone Event Centre with the Auckland Philarmonia Orchestra! The show was called Takarangi and also included Balmoral School, Waitakere College and Unitec Dance students. What an amazing opportunity for these young people to experience professional standard work in art forms they don’t usually have much exposure to:…

Here’s a review of Steppin’ with Benji Marshall by a student in Australia. http://www.readplus.com.au/blog_detail.php?id=3930

On Monday Sept 30th students from Tangaroa College, Waitakere College, Balmoral School and Unitec, will dance with the Auckland Philarmonia Orchestra at Vodafone Event Centre in Manukau. Such an amazing project exposing students to new art forms: contemporary Maori dance and orchestral music! Choreography by Moss Patterson of Atamira Dance Company.

Come to Tangaroa College this Tuesday evening if you’d like to see some local theatre featuring amazing young people of Otara. My year 12 Drama class are performing a play called “Too Much Too Young”. It’s on the theme of teen pregnancy and sexual health, a pretty big issue in our community.  

Went to the Storylines Festival at Vodafone Event Centre on Saturday. It was awesome to be around some of the legends of childrens’ writing in Aotearoa: Gavin Bishop, Jennifer Beck, David Hill and others. It really struck me how humble and generous the writers were. Have you read Remember that November by Jennifer Beck? That’s…

I’ve got a lot of respect for Benji Marshall after hearing the news he’s coming home to Aotearoa next year. It’s a brave decision to leave a sport he’s comfortable in, has had so much success in , and take up a new sport, working from the bottom, with the possibility of “failure”. Benji’s step…

Kia orana and happy Cook Island language week everyone. One of my favourite moments in the Super 15 Final on the weekend was the haka the Chiefs did after the game. I love it when non-Maori show love and respect for Maori culture. That’s what we have to do more in Aotearoa. I believe our…

We have a saying in my Drama classes: “always say yes”. It’s to encourage us all to be brave, take risks, explore and try things. We might fail, but that’s fine . . . we learned something. I felt inspired today when I heard about a moment of bravery by Kiwi teenager Ella Yelich-O’Connor […

Just got home from watching Tu, stage adaptation of Patricia Grace novel, by Hone Kouka. Awesome play, the kind that you walk out of thinking “I wanna make something!”

Santana and Maycee helping me deliver copies of my new book Steppin with Benji Marshall.

I’ve been asked to present a workshop next week at the New Zealand Teachers of English Conference in Hawkes Bay. I always tell my students that the magic happens outside the comfort zone and to be brave, so I said ‘yes’ to that offer. But as the time gets closer to the conference those old…

If you want to see some local theatre on Tuesday come over to Tangaroa College. The Level 3 Drama class are performing Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Our version is set in ancient Samoa. Play starts at 6pm and entry is free.

This is my new motivational book for young people. It focuses on the challenges Benji has overcome in his life to become a successful person in his chosen career. If you would like to order a copy you can e mail me directly davidrileynz@gmail.com. The book costs $20, plus $3 for postage and packaging in…

Presented at South Pacific Language and Literature Conference on Friday. Man, intimidating! There I was, a palagi, speaking in front of Albert Wendt, Reina Whaitiri, Robert Sullivan, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Lani Wendt-Young, Grace Taylor, Michelle Johansson, Mua Strickson-Pua . . . Reina said that the work of palagi researchers and historians is “necessary but problematic”….

Having trouble finding interesting reading material for the young people in your life, especially boys? Look no further! As an English and Drama teacher I’ve worked with young people for 15 years and I know what they want to read about. Take a look around my site. I’m sure you’ll find something your young people…