- English
New book tracks the worldwide flight of ‘Kiwi’
Kiwi: A Curious Case of National Identity
Richard Wolfe
How did the Māori name for a flightless bird come to mean a New Zealander and a fruit that originated in China, while morphing into the badge for the national rugby league team and the air force? Not to mention becoming the brand name for everything from rabbit traps to a bank, and a term for pilots who are no longer flying?
Kiwi: A Curious Case of National Identity tracks this unlikely evolution. Diving into the natural history of this unique bird and its significance to Māori, the story spreads its wings to relate how ‘kiwi’ came to symbolise the emerging nation during the First World War – thanks in part to a brand of boot polish originating in Australia.
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New picture book retells Rātā and the tree pūrakau
The Ever-Standing Tree
Te Rākau Tū Tonu
Tim Tipene
Illustrated by Ani Huia Ligaliga
Translated by Kanapu Rangitauira
Modern retelling of a classic story comes to life in picture book about learning respect for nature
A modern interpretation of the classic pūrākau of Rātā and the tree, Tim Tipene’s The Ever-Standing Tree/Te Rākau Tū Tonu highlights the importance of respecting and protecting nature.
In a typical Kiwi suburb, Dad cuts down the tree in the backyard – to get a better view. Overnight, the insects and birds work their magic and put it back together, leaving the family stunned.
A battle of wills between the blade and nature ensues, until Dad finally comes to realise how special the tree is.
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Correcting common errors in te reo Māori for all levels of speakers
Ngā Hapa Reo: Common Māori Language Errors
Hona Black and Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell
Bilingual addition to Oratia’s te reo reference series explains and corrects common errors in Māori
Māori language teachers and consultants Hona Black and Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell hear a lot of common errors in te reo, not only in the courses they teach but also among fluent speakers.
That motivated the pair to write Ngā Hapa Reo, making readers aware of common Māori language errors and how to right them, so that the reo can flourish in the future.
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Duffy and the Bullies
Homegrown graphic novel takes the Duffy Books in Homes message to young readers
Duffy and the Bullies
Jeff Szusterman
Illustrated by Ant Sang
Every year the Duffy Books in Homes theatre group visits hundreds of Kiwi schools, sharing the messages It’s Cool to Read and Cool to Achieve while building a keen following for the show’s hero, Duffy.
It’s part of the outstanding work Duffy Books in Homes has done for 30 years to connect children with books.
Now one of those plays comes to the world in a graphic novel, the trendy reading format for children and teenagers worldwide.
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