November 01, 2022
Lessons for rangatahi in tupuna stories
The co-author of a new book on Te Taitokerau historic leaders hopes it will give rangatahi a new appreciation of their tupuna.
University of Auckland Professor Melinda Webber says in her research on Māori student achievement she has become aware of a need to reverse negative stereotypes and come up with positive narratives.
A Fire in the Belly of Hineāmaru. written with PhD Māori Studies student Te Kapua O’Connor, highlights 24 tupuna such as Rahiri and Hineamaru, Hongi Hika and Te Ruki Kawiti, Aperahama Taonui and Apihai Te Kawau.
She says the stories can function on a number of levels, so they become source material for teachers and parents as well as remaining engaging for rangatahi.
“They’re full of things like science and technology and philosophy, We have a really strong intellectual tradition in te ao Maori and that was the message we were trying to communicate in these stories,” Professor Webber says.
A Fire in the Belly of Hineāmaru also comes in a Maori translation by Quinton Hita, and features cover art by Shane Cotton.
It’s published by Auckland University Press.