-
Series: Moana Oceania Title: Fiji – Viti Author: Tarisi Vunidilo ISBN: 978-1-99-004240-9 RRP: $29.99 Specs: 230 x 170 mm portrait, PB, 48 pp, colour Publishing: 10 October 2024 Fiji – Viti is the newest addition to the striking Moana Oceania series, which reflects back to Pasifika children in Aotearoa the places they are connected to. While suitable for young readers, this is a valuable book for anyone with an interest in our Pacific vuvale (family), including our many visitors to Fiji. Fijian–New Zealand educator Tarisi Vunidilo introduces the people, culture and identity of her homeland. With text in Fijian and English, the book offers insights into society, geography, legends, arts, history, language and more. Readers will learn about daily life in the islands, the values of its people, and how families live and celebrate. A section is dedicated to Fijians in New Zealand and how they stay connected to and celebrate their culture in Aotearoa. The striking design with info boxes, colourful photos, illustrations and maps make this book fun to read and easy to access. -
The Ever-Standing Tree Te Rākau Tū Tonu Author: Tim Tipene Illustrator: Ani Huia Ligaliga Translated by Kanapu Rangitauira ISBN: 978-1-99-004260-7 RRP: $22.99 Specs: 270 x 210 mm portrait, PB, 32 pp, colour Publishing: 2 September 2024 For Teacher Resource: click hereOver the protests of his kids, Dad cuts down a tree to get ‘a better view’ — only for a chorus of birds and insects to put it back together overnight. The battle of wills between the blade and nature goes on until Dad finally sees the light and comes to love the tree. Told in Māori and English, this lovingly illustrated story resets the beloved myth of Rātā and the Tree in a modern setting, encouraging readers to consider traditions, tikanga and respect for nature. The Ever-standing Tree/Te Rākau Tū Tonu follows on from Tim Tipene’s successful picture books Māui – Sun Catcher/Te Kaihao i te Rā and Rona Moon/Ko Rona Māhina, both Storylines Notable Book Award winners. -
Whakarongo ki ō Tūpuna Listen to your ancestors Author: Darryn Joseph Illustrator: Munro Te Whata ISBN: 978-0-947506-67-4 RRP: $22.99 Specs: 270 x 210 mm portrait, PB, 32 pp, colour Published: 5 March 2024 WINNER: NZSA New Zealand Literary Heritage Awards 2020, Te Reo Māori sectionKia toa, e hine mā, e tama mā, kia kaua hoki koutou e whakamā. Me waiata koutou ki ngā manu o tō koutou tūpuna, o Tāne-mahuta. Be bold now, girls and boys, it’s no time to be shy. Sing to the birds of your ancestor, The Great Forest. This poignant story is set in a school and then rest home environment, following the life lessons passed from a teacher to her pupils, and aligning these with the example set by Māori gods and ancestors. As the story unfolds the teacher ages and retires, and we see the beautiful and caring relationship between ‘Nan’ and her granddaughter. Nan passes away; we are reminded of the circular nature of life as her granddaughter begins to teach her own pupils lessons from the ancestors. -
Out of stock
Title: Ngā Atua: Māori Gods Author/Illustrator: Robyn Kahukiwa Translator: Kiwa Hammond ISBN:978-1-99-004242-3 RRP: $22.99 Specs: 270 x 210 mm portrait, PB, 32 pp, colour Published: 17 May 2023 TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK, REPRINT DUE LATE MAY 2025A book to treasure for young and old, Robyn Kahukiwa’s Ngā Atua – Māori Gods takes the reader on a stunning visual journey while imparting simple and effective explanations of the major Māori gods.
Robyn introduces the pantheon of Māori deities and explains the arena of life for which each one is responsible. For example:
Tumatauenga is the greatest warrior. His powers are extreme strength and courage. He fights for truth and justice.
This new paperback version is fully bilingual, incorporating a superb translation by Kiwa Hammond, building on the popular hardback edition in English (published by Oratia Books in 2017). The vibrant paintings bring the gods to life and help this beautiful book to affirm their continued relevance to today’s world.
-
Series: Moana Oceania Title: Cook Islands – Kūki ‘Airani Author: Jean Tekura Mason ISBN: 978-1-99-004221-8 RRP: $29.99 Specs: 230 x 170 mm portrait, PB, 48 pp, colour Published: 15 February 2023 Aimed at readers 8+ but valuable for anyone with an interest in our Pacific kopu tangata (family), this is one of two inaugural books in the Moana Oceania series created by Oratia Books’ Editorial Director, Carolyn Lagahetau. Cook Islands children in New Zealand can see themselves reflected in this book, and all readers can learn about life and nature in this part of the Pacific. Cook Islands – Kūki ‘Airini sets out the seven interconnected pillars that guide Cook Islands life, such as kauraro (respect and obedience to elders) and ‘aka’aka (humility and dignity). There are also sections on education, language, history, environment, art, sport and celebrations — and an exploration of how Cook Islanders in Aotearoa maintain and adapt their culture. Written in Cook Islands Māori and English by noted author Jean TeKura Mason, the book is illustrated with colour photographs throughout, and numerous pull-out boxes of information make the text easy to access. -
Series: Moana Oceania Title: Sāmoa Author: Dahlia Malaeulu Translator: Tapaau Auvaa ISBN:978-1-99-004222-5 RRP: $29.99 Specs: 230 x 170 mm portrait, PB, 48 pp, colour Published: 15 February 2023 Aimed at readers 8+ but valuable for anyone with an interest in our Pacific ‘āiga (family), this is one of two inaugural books in the Moana Oceania series created by Oratia Books’ Editorial Director, Carolyn Lagahetau. Dahlia Malaeulu provides a comprehensive overview of life in Sāmoa for readers in New Zealand, with text in Gagana Samoa and English. Samoan children can see themselves reflected in these books, and all readers can learn about the islands’ culture, language, daily life, history, environment and sport. Moana Oceania: Sāmoa explains the fundamental values of Fa’asāmoa (Samoan life), including connection to ‘āiga (family), nu’u (village), land and religion. It shows how families in Sāmoa live, how they are educated, and how they celebrate and commemorate through dance, music and festivals — while exploring how Samoans in Aotearoa maintain and adapt their culture. With colour photographs throughout, the book contains pull-out boxes of information, making the text easy to access.
- English