Māori-Lule Sámi-English picture book confronts the plastic in our oceans

He Ata te Raru ki Tai?

What’s the Matter with the Sea?

Mij le ábijin dáhpáduvvamin?

 

Rita Sørly

Illustrated by Malgorzata Piotrowska

Māori translation by Kanapu Rangitauira

Lule Sámi translation by Are Tjihkkom

English translation by Maria Nayr de Pinho Correia Ibrahim and Charlotta Maria Langejan

Alerted to the unusual appearance of a rare whale in the north of Norway, Māori marine biologists Aihe and Whina set out from Otago to track its path and find out what is going wrong with the world’s oceans. 

 

In a world first, this unique picture book is trilingual in Māori, the endangered Lule Sámi language, and English (which acts like subtitles, secondary to the indigenous languages). 

It centres the connection between the Sámi peoples of Norway and Māori, while telling a thoughtful story that highlights the need to care for our marine environment.

 

The international coedition with Sámi publisher Davvi Girji was launched at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair on 13 April 2026, as reported in the prestigious Publishing Perspectives magazine. 

The launch included a recorded reading by te reo translator Kanapu Rangitauira and his whānau.

 

Alongside promotion by Davvi Girji, Nord University in Norway and the Norwegian book agency NORLA, Oratia Books is delighted to preview the book’s release on UN World Oceans Day, 8 June.

He Aha te Raru ki Tai? What's the Matter with the Sea? Mij le ábijn dáhpáduvvamin? is on sale at good booksellers from 11 June.

The author, illustrator and translators 

Rita Sørly is a professor in social work, and director of the Arctic Nord blog Youth Research Center at The Arctic University of Norway. She lives Tromsø, northern Norway.

Malgorzata Piotrowska is a Polish-Norwegian illustrator and author of children’s and adults’ books.

Kanapu Rangitauira (Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou, Te Whakatōhea) is a translator and teacher of te reo Māori who has translated a number of children's books for Oratia.

Lule Sámi translation by Are Tjihkkom; English translation by Maria Nayr Correia Ibrahim & Charlotta Maria Langejan.

Some of the team behind the book at the Bologna Children's Book Fair, April 2026

Publication Date: 11 June 2026  |  ISBN: 9781991353016  |  RRP $29.00

Hardback, 230 x 230 mm, 48 pages, colour

Bilingual children's book showcases Samoa's all-important 'ava ceremony

Sauniga o le ‘Ava Samoa 
The ‘Ava Ceremony of Samoa

Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata
Illustrated by Ani Huia Ligaliga

The 'ava ceremony is at the heart of Samoan life, essential for marking important occasions and welcoming guests. 

In this bilingual book, in Gagana Samoa and English by orator and teacher Tauanu’u Sitagata, young readers can learn all about the ritual of exchange around the ‘ava drink (known as kava in other parts of the South Pacific.)

With beautiful illustrations by artist Ani Huia Ligaliga, Sauniga o le ‘Ava Samoa/The 'Ava Ceremony of Samoa outlines the steps in the ceremony and the roles of orators and participants. It explains the items used, food and etiquette of the ceremony, and presentations made between hosts and visitors. 

Drawing on his deep knowledge of fa’asamoa (the Samoan Way), Tauanu’u explains the sequence of making and serving ‘ava, including who does what, and objects used. 

The book concludes with the myth of the ‘ava plant’s origins, here for the first time in written form, with sensitive illustrations.

Co-published by Oratia Books and Auckland Council Libraries, this attractive picture book is releasing in time for Samoa Language Week (31 May–6 June). 

The Author and Illustrator

Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata teaches at McAuley High School in Ōtahuhu and the Centre for Pacific Languages in Manukau. He has received the National Excellence in Teaching Award for his achievements in teaching the Samoan language. His first book, Alagā’upu Fa’asamoa ma Uiga mo Tamaiti/Samoan Proverbs for Children, was published in 2025 and has already reprinted.

Ani Huia Ligaliga is a Māori artist and illustrator based in Hamilton. She illustrated Tauanu'u's previous work, Alagā'upu Fa'asamo ma Uiga mo Tamaiti/Samoan Proverbs for Children (Oratia Books, 2025), and her other published work includes The Ever-Standing Tree by Tim Tipene (Oratia Books, 2024).

Publication Date: 14 May 2026  |  ISBN: 9781991353078  |  RRP $21.00

Paperback, 230 x 215 mm, 32 pages, colour

Oratia Books Catalogue is out now with an array of reading for 2026

The new Oratia Books Catalogue 2026 is out now in print and digital form.

This year's cover features art from the forthcoming picture book Mauri, by Merryn Jones and illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White. 

The catalogue showcases 15 new titles for 2026, three which are out in stores already – starting with Philippa Werry's Wild Life: An Animal History of Aotearoa, the latest in The NZ Series, which published in February and has already reprinted. 

Tangaroa Paul and Luca Tu'avao Walton's Rere Atu ki Poronihia/Flight to Polynesia published in March, while this month's release, Ron Crosby's Keep Calm — We Are Coming, has been gaining nationwide publicity. 

Later in the year will bring a fantastic addition to Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird's New Bum! Series, a further te reo Māori reference work by Hona Black, a sumptuous art book by Richard Wolfe and a new edition of classic myths and legends from the Pacific. 

Click here to read more or download the PDF, and to request a print copy please email info@oratia.co.nz

Keep Calm — We Are Coming

 

Keep Calm — We Are Coming
The NZSAS in action in Afghanistan, 2009–2021

Ron Crosby

A gripping account of New Zealand’s military elite in action in Afghanistan, told in their own words

This special book takes the reader on a rare tour behind the lines of the New Zealand Special Air Service during its time in Afghanistan, based on extensive interviews and research by author Ron Crosby.

Keep Calm —We Are Coming briefly backgrounds the NZSAS role with Coalition forces supporting the Afghan government, before focusing on four engagements where many lives were at risk.

While primarily training Afghan forces in Kabul, the Kiwis were called upon to respond to a series of ‘spectacular attacks’ by heavily-armed Taliban fighters wearing suicide vests and determined to inflict major casualties on civilians.

In the words of those who were there, Crosby tells how the NZSAS resolved three devastating attacks by terrorists in Kabul between 2009 and 2012 — at the Indian Guesthouse, Intercontinental Hotel and British Council.

The book then relates how the NZSAS returned to help evacuate New Zealanders from the chaos of Kabul Airport in 2021 as the Taliban took over.

This fast-paced book —illustrated with 32 pages of colour photos from the attacks and the airport – reveals how a courageous group of Kiwis saved hundreds of lives in extremely 

dangerous conditions.

Author Ron Crosby at the book's launch in Auckland

Keep Calm — We Are Coming is available in good booksellers nationwide, in time for Anzac Day 2026 commemorations.

The author

Ron Crosby is a well-known author of New Zealand history, including The Musket Wars, The Forgotten Wars, Te Kooti’s Last Foray and NZSAS: The First Fifty Years. He enjoyed a long career as a barrister, and was a member of the Waitangi Tribunal for 13 years. Resident in Blenheim, Ron has intermittently spent many years writing the current book; see www.roncrosby.co.nz.

Publication: 2 April 2026  |  ISBN: 9781990042997  |  RRP $45.00

Paperback with flaps, 240 x 160 mm portrait, 260 pages, 

b&w with 4 x 8-page colour sections