A new bilingual picture book Rere Atu Taku Poi! — telling the story of a young Māori boy who finds his love for poi — has been released in time for Auckland Pride Month.
The book follows the journey of Rangi Atapō, a boy unable to express his thoughts and his feelings. But his love for kapa haka and poi introduce him to his own identity in a Māori world.
Author Dr Tangaroa Paora says the book was inspired by a personal experience as a takatāpui in te ao Māori and a love for poi and kapa haka.
“Waimarie katoa au i taku tipuranga i raro i ngā mātāpono o Te Aho Matua, ki reira noho ki ngā rekereke o ngā mātanga haka o tō tātou ao i aua wā tonu... pērā i a Papa Pita [Sharples], Nana Aroha [Paenga] mā (I was very fortunate to grow up under the principles of Te Aho Matua, and brought under the influence of many experienced haka performers... like Papa Pita and Nana Aroha).”
Te Aho Matua is a philosophical framework used by kura kaupapa Māori that focuses on six guiding principles, including Te Ira Tangata which talks of the physical and spiritual side of students and the importance of nurturing both in education.
Paora collaborated with Auckland Libraries to write the children’s book, with the goal to provide tamariki with a resource to explore who they are. It’s something they are passionate about, having written a thesis on takatāpui identities.
“Ko taua rangahau… he mea timatanga noa iho ki tēnei huarahi whakawhanake i ngā pūrakau, i ngā kōrero e hāngai ana ki tō tātou hāpori āniwaniwa nei (That research… is just the beginning of a journey to develop stories about our rainbow community).”
Rere Atu Taku Poi! Let My Poi Fly! by Tangaroa Paora is now available to purchase in stores such as Whitcoulls and Paper Plus.
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