April 03, 2013
Ancient puriri unveils history of Aotearoa
A finalist in the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards says wanting to give something back to her community was the spark for writing.
Marnie Anstis is a kiwifruit grower in Opotiki, and her book Taketakerau, The Millennium Tree was illustrated by Patricia Howitt & Kelly Spencer.
She says the formula of a koro and grandmother telling a child about the 2000 year-old puriri tree in Hukutaia Domain near the eastern Bay of Plenty town was a way to weave a tale of New Zealand’s settlement and development.
“The voice that I have used, like the writing voice for Kawerau, she tells it’s like it’s a modern legend. It’s a story that grows with a child and a young child can look at the paintings. Patricia Howitt’s art work is absolutely fascinating. There is so much detail in them of the birds, the bush and Māori that have come and through to the development of New Zealand,” Marnie Anstis says.
Another finalist is Simon Morton and Riria Hotere’s 100 Amazing Tales from Aotearoa, a behind the scenes look at the artefacts stored at Te Papa.
The winners from each category will be announced in June.