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Download AudioAuthor Tangaroa Paul says his new bilingual children’s book draws on his experience transitioning from the tāne lines to the wāhine lines in kapa haka.
Rere Atu Taku Poi! Let my poi Fly has been published in time for Pride Month.
Paul says the AUT Māori student association kapa Tītahi Ki Tua and Hātea allow members to express themselves freely, like the lead character in the book Rangi.
He says he’s tried to write a book that is a fun story for tamariki as well as being informative for whānau.
“So that they would understand how they might be feeling and that type of age of discovering who they are or going on that journey or trying to figure out who they are and in the hope essentially that whanau members could feel more connected to their tamaiti by understanding who they are through elements of performance like kapa haka,” Paul says.
The book is available in both te reo Māori and English for purchase online at the Oratia website.
It’s being launched tomorrow, Saturday at 10am at Te Atatū Peninsula Library with a bilingual storytime, waiata, and poi activities.
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