Reading Warrior

Pretty amazed that Freestyle: the Israel Adesanya Story has made the shortlist of the 2023 NZ Children’s Book Awards in the non-fiction category. Never did I think I could reach this level but I’m grateful to have one of my books recognised this way. Not for the ego but because it means more people can…

I’ve been working with tamariki at Henderson North School on a book celebrating a famous pūrākau story from Te Kawerau ā Maki. Today we launched the pukapuka as part of the school’s Matariki celebrations. Ngā mihi Te Kawerau ā Maki for trusting us with your taonga story, and Donna Nee Tumuaki of Henderson North Kura…

(Ode To An(often dis)Regarded Audience) Earlier this year I started a writers club at Tupu Youth Library in Ōtara. It’s a place young people can come and just write without worrying that their writing will be judged or “marked”. This evening we launched a book of some of the writing – a collection by ten…

This is my favourite part of writing projects with kids: celebrating with the children and their families. This evening we launched The Streets: a celebration of Mt Wellington written by children of Bailey Road School.

Today we launched a new book called Hood Heroes, written and illustrated by children at Flat Bush School, Ōtara. It’s such a beautiful feeling when you see the pride of the children knowing they’re achieving the dreams their families have for them. You can take a look inside the book and buy a copy here…

Today I got to visit students in the middle school at Sir Edmund Hilary Collegiate in Ōtara. I find these young people really inspiring because they have big dreams and they’re in the perfect place to build on the things their families have already been instilling in them. Our country has an amazing future because…