He whakarewatanga rawe kei Te Papa-i-oea

Whakarongo ki ō Tūpuna/Listen to your Ancestors has just been launched today in an uplifting event at the beautiful Wharerata homestead on the Massey University campus, Te Papa-i-oea/Palmerson North. 

Fittingly for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori/Maori Language Week, most of the event was in te Reo, with translation into te Reo Pākeha (English) — much like the book itself. 

Te Hamua Nikora (left) shares his wit and oratory at  the launch

MC and media personality Te Hamua Nikora (Ngāti Porou) had the audience alternately reflecting and cracking up as he praised author Darryn Joseph and encouraged those attending to buy multiple copies. 

"This book contains real mauri (spirit) and may it be a blessing to all who read it. 

"And today there's a chance to take some of that mauri home!" he added. 

Darryn Joseph speaks about the genesis and realisation of his book

Darryn paid tribute to illustrator Munro Te Whata and editor Carolyn Lagahetau for imbuing Whakarongo ki ō Tūpuna with that mauri and to Oratia Books "for giving te Reo a space to fly." 

Darryn (left) and Cynthia White read in Māori and English respectively

He and Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Cynthia White jointly read the book to the approximately 100 guests attending, including a group from Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School who provided a beautiful waiata a ringa/action song.

The tribute to teachers was appropriate, given the book's dedication:
Tūturu, whakamaharatia, whakamīharotia,

whananuia ō tātou kaiako ahorangi!

Mōhio koe ki tō ake tino!

Let’s remember and celebrate our amazing teachers!

You know your own favourite!

Queuing for their copies

Tuhinga o mua o te roopu Oratia, ngā manaakitanga ki a koe e Darryn, ki Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, me ngā kaihoko pukapuaka a Bruce McKenzie Booksellers. 

Our appreciation to Darryn and Munro and whānau, to Massey University for hosting the launch, and to Corey from Bruce McKenzie Booksellers for selling copies on the day. 

An author kept busy dedicating copies to the many who attended

Whakarongo ki ō Tūpuna is available through good booksellers everywhere, and if you're in Palmerston North, get along to Bruce McKenzie Booksellers for your copy.

Celebrating Māori Language Week with a new picture book in te Reo

One night in June 2016, Massey University language lecturer Darryn Joseph sat in a hospital room minding a teacher who had become a dear friend and mentor to him. 

Darryn wrote her a poem of appreciation, kissed her hand and said goodbye; the next day she passed away. 

That poem is contained in Whakarongo ki ō Tūpuna/Listen to your Ancestors, a picture book in te Reo Māori with English translation, publishing today during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori/Māori Language Week.

The story follows a beloved teacher giving her pupils and grand-daughter guidance by directing them to follow the examples of Māori gods and ancestors.

“Every teacher teaches you something, but a few special teachers leave lasting impressions that stay with you for life,” says Darryn.

The book is illustrated by emerging artist Munro Te Whata, who has vividly brought to life settings in a school, the outdoors and a rest home in a colourful style.

Whakarongo ki ō Tūpuna teaches the values represented by Māori gods and ancestors, and provides a much-needed tool for reading in te Reo. But at its heart this is a story of love and respect, harking back to the friendship that inspired its writing. 

Darryn Joseph

The authors

Darryn Joseph (Ngāti Maniapoto) is a senior lecturer in Māori language at Massey University, Palmerston North, and the author of more than 23 books, mainly for Māori immersion education. Darryn is a trustee of Storylines and was a judge for the 2018 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Munro Te Whata (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou) is a dynamic young animator, artist and writer who has illustrated several books. He lives in Auckland. 

Munro Te Whata (left) with the book's editor, Carolyn Lagahetau

Publication: 10 September 2019  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-62-9 |  RRP $24.99

Paperback, 270 x 21o mm, 32 pages colour

Going West delivers again

Many facets of Oratia Media's publishing were on show in the Going West Writers Festival in Titirangi this past weekend. 

Sir Bob Harvey kicked off the Saturday morning proceedings, talking about the book he published with Oratia in June — Sea Edge: Where the Waitematā Meets Auckland. 

Sir Bob (right) in discussion with Elisabeth Vaneveld and Gregory O'Brien

On the Sunday, our author Malcolm Paterson shared his insights into Auckland's past through the three Sharing Our Stories children's books he's published with us, and was joined by author Owen Gill, whose book Turning Point Auckland we undertook as a commissioned project at the start of the year. 

Malcolm Paterson (talking, second from right) joined Owen Gill (right) and author Patrick Reynolds (second from left) in conversation with Going West artistic director Mark Easterbrook

Then Oratia's publisher Peter Dowling took part in lively discussion of publishing realities in New Zealand, alongside Bridget Williams (Bridget Williams Books) and Harriet Allan (Penguin Random House NZ). 

Congratulations to Going West for a friendly, stimulating weekend!