Where I Live
I wanted to be a writer when I was a child but I didn’t believe in myself because I thought writers were famous people from places like LA and New York. Not David Riley from Mangere! One of my goals … Read More
Be you, no matter what
In the NBA there are a few megastar players like LeBron James, Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. The kinds of players that every team wants and will do all that they can to keep. And then there are … Read More
When one door is closed …
Hey everyone, we’re well into 2018 and I wonder how we are all doing with the goals and dreams we have for this year. I read, saw and heard lots of inspiring stories of achievement during the summer and I … Read More
Rugby League History: Mate Ma’a Tonga
“When I play for New Zealand I play for my country of birth. But when I play for Tonga, I play for my heritage and my family.” (Tongan captain, Sika Manu.) Tonga was introduced to rugby league through the 1986 Pacific … Read More
Rugby League History: Fiji Bati
Everyone knows how great Fiji are at rugby union, especially the sevens game. But Fiji have also made their mark in the world of rugby league. Players like Josefa Levula were stars in English rugby league in the 1960s. A … Read More
Rugby League History Day 5: The artwork
The Kiwis have designed a new jersey for this year’s Rugby League World Cup. The jersey reflects the team’s cultural heritage and has cultural patterns on the back and sleeves. The jersey was designed by the Kiwis’ cultural advisor, Ora … Read More
Rugby League History Day 4: The Kiwi Ferns
The Women’s Rugby League World Cup is also on this year. It takes place in Sydney, Australia from 16th November to 2nd December. Here’s a little info about the history of women’s rugby league in New Zealand. Women’s rugby league … Read More
Rugby League History Day 3: How the Kiwis got their name
The New Zealand rugby league team have been known by many names over the years: the Professional All Blacks and the All Golds were early names. Almost from the start, their uniforms featured a kiwi standing above a silver fern. … Read More
Rugby League History Day 2: Albert Baskerville – the father of Kiwi rugby league
Albert Baskerville was a young post office worker, living in Wellington with his mother and seven siblings in the early 1900s. His father had been killed in a work accident and Albert was the only income earner for the family. … Read More
The people’s game
The Rugby League World Cup is coming! To celebrate, I’m going to share some of the amazing and inspiring history of rugby league with you. Day 1: The people’s game Rugby league is unique among major world sports because it … Read More
Inspiring thoughts from Joy Cowley
Today at the Storylines Hui, legendary children’s writer, Joy Cowley, told an inspiring story about The Silent One, her first novel. It was rejected by every publisher she sent it to, so she put it away in a drawer. Eight years later, … Read More
Make mistakes, learn, go again
This is really cool from Parramatta rugby league player, Suaia Matagi. He visits youth in prisons and encourages them. He tells them that life is similar to a game of rugby league. “Just like in footy,” he says. “You might … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: The Untold Story
Last week was so awesome celebrating Cook Islands Language Week with the launch of Cook Islands Heroes at Tupu Youth Library. Something happened at the launch that taught me so much about where achievement comes from. Michael Metuakore is one … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: Margaret Matenga
Kia orana everyone! It’s Kuki Airani Language Week and I’ve got a new book to help celebrate. Cook Islands Heroes is a collection of achievers who have Cook Islands ancestry – from legends, through history and into the present. The … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: Dr Sam Manuela
Kia orana everyone! It’s Kuki Airani Language Week and I’ve got a new book to help celebrate. Cook Islands Heroes is a collection of achievers who have Cook Islands ancestry – from legends, through history and into the present. The … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: P Diggs
Kia orana everyone! It’s Kuki Airani Language Week and I’ve got a new book to help celebrate. Cook Islands Heroes is a collection of achievers who have Cook Islands ancestry – from legends, through history and into the present. The … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: Ina and Tinirau
Kia orana everyone! Next week is Kuki Airani Language Week and I’ve got a new book to help celebrate. Cook Islands Heroes is a collection of achievers who have Cook Islands ancestry – from legends, through history and into the … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: Miria George
Kia orana everyone! Next week is Kuki Airani Language Week and I’ve got a new book to help celebrate. Cook Islands Heroes is a collection of achievers who have Cook Islands ancestry – from legends, through history and into the … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: Reyon Kay
Kia orana everyone! Kuki Airani Language Week is coming August 1st and I’ve got a new book to help celebrate the week. It’s a collection of achievers who have Cook Islands ancestry – from legends, through history and into the … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: Florence “Johnny” Frisbee
Kia orana everyone! Kuki Airani Language Week is coming August 1st and I’ve got a new book to help celebrate the week. It’s a collection of achievers who have Cook Islands ancestry – from legends, through history and into the … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: Tua Pittman
Kia orana everyone! Kuki Airani Language Week is coming August 1st and I’ve got a new book to help celebrate the week. It’s a collection of achievers who have Cook Islands ancestry – from legends, through history and into the … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: Michael Metuakore
Kia orana everyone! Kuki Airani Language Week is coming August 1st and I’ve got a new book to help celebrate the week. It’s a collection of achievers who have Cook Islands ancestry – from legends, through history and into the … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: Ngaru
Kia orana everyone! Kuki Airani Language Week is coming August 1st and I’ve got a new book to help celebrate the week. It’s a collection of achievers who have Cook Islands ancestry – from legends, through history and into the … Read More
Cook Islands Heroes: Jordan Rapana
This week’s Cook Islands hero is rugby league player, Jordan Rapana. Jordan plays for the Canberra Raiders in the NRL, the toughest rugby league competition in the world. He also represented the Kiwis in last weeks’ ANZAC test. What makes … Read More
Cook Island Heroes, Alistair Campbell and ANZAC
You were like a butterfly in a storm In that foul war that destroyed you. I dream Of you sometimes, the same improbable Dream – that you’re alive and not dead at all! And then I see you floating down … Read More
test
test
Discipline, Discouragement or Disturbing?
An American dad made news this week when he held up this sign at an NBA basketball game: Thomas was looking forward to watching his favourite player Lebron James, live. But he came from school with poor grades and the punishment … Read More
Teach with Shaun Johnson
Hey guys lots of schools like to do a “Who Am I?” theme during term one. Here’s a couple of newspaper articles about New Zealand Warriors rugby league player Shaun Johnson on that theme that you could share with your … Read More
Teach with rugby league
The 2017 NRL season is about to begin and I want to encourage all who work with young people to consider what a rich resource of material we can get from rugby league and other sports to help engage students in … Read More
Small minds, smaller hearts, smaller deeds
Thirty five train stations in France have installed vending machines which print short stories. The stories are free for people to read while they wait for their trains. Over 5,000 authors submitted stories for the machines. Passengers can choose whether … Read More