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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. -
Title: Vikings of the Sunrise Author: Te Rangi Hīroa (Sir Peter Buck) Foreword by Paora Tapsell ISBN: 978-1-99-004249-2 RRP: $49.99 Specs: PB with flaps, 210 x 140 mm portrait, 392 pp, b/w with 2 photo sections of 16 pp Published: 18 October 2023 Vikings of the Sunrise ranks as a masterpiece of Pacific studies. From the pen of one of the greatest Māori thinkers and writers of his generation, the settlement of the Pacific Ocean comes to life. The book ranges across the Pacific Ocean and the people who populated it, considering their physical and spiritual origins, and the ships they built to conquer this vast territory. It weighs evidence for different routes, retells myths of migration including the Māui series, recounts the author’s visits to islands and atolls across the South Pacific, and overall establishes the ‘vikings’ of the Pacific among the greatestever ocean voyagers. First published in 1938, Vikings of the Sunrise is here reproduced in an enhanced facsimile edition, including photos and maps compiled by the author on his voyages, and a new foreword by anthropologist Paora (Paul) Tapsell. Oratia Books is pleased to bring Vikings of the Sunrise back into print for modern readers as part of our NZ Classics series. -
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.
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