MOANA OCEANIA SERIES
Cook Islands – Kūki ‘Airani : Jean Tekura Mason
Sāmoa : Dahlia Malaeulu
Translated by Tapaau Auvaa
First two books in bilingual series by Pasifika authors and editors introducing the culture and landscapes of Polynesia
Oratia Books is proud to announce a new series to bring bilingual reading about the South Pacific to children in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Devised and delivered by Carolyn Lagahetau, Oratia’s Niuean-Kiwi editorial director, the Moana Oceania Series aims to address the lack of good reading materials about the South Pacific not only in English but also in local languages.
The non-fiction books that kick off the series provide an introduction to two Polynesian island nations, aimed at for readers aged 8 and over but accessible by all ages, and produced by Pasifika creatives.
Rarotonga-based author Jean Tekura Mason wrote both the English and Cook Islands Māori text of Cook Islands – Kūki ‘Airani to outline key aspects of life, culture and history in her country.
This colourful paperback sets out the seven pillars of life in the Cook Islands, with concise text on key aspects of the nation including education, language, history, environment, art, sport and culture.
One focus of this and Sāmoa is how Pasifika peoples maintain and adapt their culture living in Aotearoa.
Sāmoa author Dahlia Malaeulu provides a comprehensive overview of life for Samoans in the islands and in New Zealand, with her English text translated into Gagana Samoa by Tapaau Auvaa (the book includes a section on language basics).
An important feature is its explanation of Fa’asāmoa, the fundamental values of Samoan life, including connection to ‘āiga (family), nu’u (village), land and religion.
Illustrated with full colour photographs and illustrations throughout, and numerous boxes of information to make the text easy to access, these first entries in the Moana Oceania Series bring the South Pacific closer to all of us.
The books are on sale from 15 February at good booksellers around New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Sāmoa.
The authors
Jean Tekura Mason (Ngāti Nurau, Ngāti Teakatauira) has been the curator and manager at the Cook Islands Library & Museum Society since 2005, and was formerly an officer of the Cook Islands Parliament. She is particularly interested in the arts, folklore and Māori etymology of the Cook Islands. Also a noted poet, Jean lives in Rarotonga.
Dahlia Malaeulu is a passionate educator and strong advocate for Pasifika children’s literature. She is an award-winning author and publisher of Mila’s Books, which creates quality stories that reflect Pasifika children’s lives. Dahlia recently won the Creative NZ Pasifika Arts Emerging Artists award. She lives with her family in Wainuiomata, Wellington.
Publication: 15 February 2023 | RRP $29.99
ISBN: (Cook Islands) 978-1-99-004221-8 (Sāmoa) 978-1-99-004222-5
Paperback, 230 x 170 mm portrait, 48 pages, colour