Hammer Time!

When I grew up in Māngere we weren’t taught the stories of the people who lived here before anyone else – the Waiohua iwi. We thought Māngere just meant “lazy” and it had a negative association. It wasn’t until recently that I learned the full name of the whenua we lived on is Ngā Hau…

Four days a week she’s a doctor. The other three days she’s a world champion powerlifter! Find out how this Māori-Tongan wahine toa from South Auckland did it, in this inspirational new biography from Reading Warrior. Order here: https://readingwarrior.com/product/dr-karlina-tongotea-world-champion-powerlifter/

I’m working with the team at Mahi for Ukraine to make a book of encouraging messages and pictures by Kiwi young people for the Ukrainian young people who will soon be arriving in NZ with their families, fleeing the attacks from Russia. You can read a bit more and see a Seven Sharp report about…

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,…

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…

Need a book about Samoan history and culture for children? We got you! 43 Samoan children living in Sāmoa, NZ, and around the world, are now published authors and illustrators after the launch of our book ‘Sāmoa’ today. We launched the tusi at Robert Louis Stevenson School in Apia. One of my favourite parts was…