Fanene Peter Maivia – Son of Samoa

He’s a blond pocket rocket! He’s like a magician with a box of tricks! He’s dazzling, lightning, electrifying! But he’s only 175 centimetres (5 feet 9 inches) tall and weighs just 78 kilograms. How does he do it? You’ll Be Right is the inspiring story of Damian McKenzie’s journey from the deep south of New Zealand…

Today we launched my new children’s book Freestyle: the Israel Adesanya Story at City Kickboxing, Izzy’s home gym. This photo is with Izzy and Ant Sang the awesome illustrator. You can get a copy here: https://readingwarrior.com/product/freestylethe-israel-adesanya-story/ “I like the idea of having my story written for kids because I know how hard things were for…

“I cant believe that I’m now an author.” “My favourite part was writing my own thoughts about the topic.” “I’m so excited that my piece of writing can go worldwide.” Some of the thoughts of children at Kauri Flats School who I worked with to publish a book called Awakeri. We launched the book at…

I visited Papakura Intermediate today and it was so awesome sharing stories with these talented young people, showing them that reading can change people’s lives … even a book about rocks! And then to hear that the kids took books about rocks out from the library afterwards – that’s pretty cool.

I had a cool visit with Senior Pasifika students at Edendale School today. At the end of the workshop, I asked the kids: “What do you want to remember from today?” Here are some of their responses :Never give up on your dreamsBooks can change your lifeBelieve in yourself and find people who believe in…

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…