Book Reviews: Te ao Māori pukapuka

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We’re continuing our celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori with reviews of five pukapuka centred in te ao Māori, brought to us by Maraea Henare.

My First Words About Tikanga Māori, written by Stacey Morrison and illustrated by Kurawaka Productions

My First Words About Tikanga Māori is a delightfully illustrated and user-friendly guide to understanding tikanga Māori. It effortlessly combines simplicity and depth, making it a valuable resource for learners of all ages. The inclusion of important vocabulary allows readers to engage meaningfully with tikanga and ahurea Māori. What sets this book apart is its role as a gateway into the practical world of Māori customs and traditions. It invites exploration and appreciation of this rich culture. Overall, this is an essential resource for anyone interested in learning the foundations of tikanga Māori.

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The Maramataka: The Many Faces of the Moon, written by Abel Junior Tutagalevao and Renee Mariner-Solomon, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbs  

The Maramataka: The Many Faces of the Moon is a captivating mixed-media taonga that blends art and mātauranga. With its rich blend of illustrations, photographs, and a balanced mix of te reo Māori, te reo Rotarota (sign language), and te reo Pākehā, this book offers a multilingual journey into the essence of te Maramataka Māori, the Māori lunar calendar.

A great resource for educators and learners alike, this book serves as an invaluable tool for understanding the Maramataka Māori beyond the learnings of Matariki or Puanga. Its simple language and straightforward sentences ensure that readers of all backgrounds can engage with its wisdom.

A great resource for educators and learners alike, this book serves as an invaluable tool for understanding the Maramataka Māori

The book’s visual tapestry is adorned with images showcasing Aotearoa’s natural wonders, from mānuka blossoms to the perky pikopiko and mamaku ferns, as well as the intriguing pēpepe insects. Each image carries its own lesson, weaving seamlessly into the narrative.

One of the book’s standout features is its step-by-step guide, assisting readers in navigating the Maramataka to align their days with its rhythm. Furthermore, the incorporation of Reo Rotarota reinforces the book’s commitment to holistic understanding, enabling readers to embody the teachings and concepts in a way that aids memory retention.

The Maramataka: The Many Faces of the Moon is more than a book; it is an enlightening nonfiction companion that highlights the profound wisdom of te ao Māori and Mātauranga Māori through the Maramataka, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world and a holistic way of living.

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Te Rā: The Māori Sail, by Ariana Tikao and Mat Tait

Te Rā is a stunning blend of visual art and poetic storytelling, elegantly wrapped in a hardcover book that unfolds like a museum pamphlet. Its pages deliver parallel stories, hinting at readers to explore it from both ends, creating a purposeful and captivating reading experience. The book’s delicate structure, at times feeling fragile, demands readers to gently unfold its pages.

Guiding us through transitions from night to day, sea to land, shadows to light, and past to present, Te Rā weaves a tale of subtle transformation. Once upon a time, Te Rā guided rangatira across great oceans and was ultimately relegated to a chilly vault, alongside other ‘stolen’ taonga tuku iho.

Guiding us through transitions from night to day, sea to land, shadows to light, and past to present, Te Rā weaves a tale of subtle transformation

Te Rā resonates as a visual mihi to perseverance, reflecting on the journey of Te Rā while encouraging thoughts about heritage and captivity. Its artistic representation is not simply a read, but a physical journey that leaves a lasting influence, inspiring deep thought about history, resilience, and freedom.

Overall, Te Rā stands as a seamless fusion of art and narrative, which guides us through a journey of transformation and reflection—it is an immersive journey that lingers in the mind, leaving us with thoughts on history, strength, and the enduring push towards freedom.

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Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai, written by Michaela Keeble and illustrated by Tokerau Brown

Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai is a delightful and visually captivating journey into the world of Māori culture and tradition. From the moment you lay eyes on this book, you are greeted with vibrant colors, symbols, and an inviting sense of playfulness that beckons readers of all ages. 

At the heart of this narrative is young Paku Manu Ariki, who introduces himself with a warm ‘Kia ora!’ and invites readers to join him on his quest for understanding. As Paku Manu Ariki flits through his world like a tiwaiwaka, he also embarks on a personal journey to understand  his place in the world. 

The book skillfully weaves together important elements of Māori cosmology and cultural significance, from the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku to the concept of kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the environment). It introduces readers to creatures from Māori oral tradition, adding a layer of enchantment to the narrative while beautifully mirroring the universal human experience of trying to understand one’s place in the world.

Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai is a delightful and visually captivating journey into the world of Māori culture and tradition

One of the most poignant aspects of the book is its reflection on the final journey of Māori to ‘Hawaiki nui, Hawaiki Roa, Hawaiki Pāmāmao,’ touching on the concept of ancestral migration that is deeply ingrained in Māori culture.

In the end, Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai is a captivating journey that not only celebrates Māori culture, but also speaks to the broader theme of self-discovery and the importance of finding one’s role in the intricate web of family, community, and the world at large. This book is a treasure for readers of all ages.

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Breathe With Me: Using Breath to Look After My Tinana, Hinengaro, and Wairua, by Abel Junior Tutagalevao and Renee Mariner-Solomon

Breathe With Me: Using Breath to Look After My Tinana, Hinengaro, and Wairua offers a unique and multilingual exploration of breathwork, presenting an engaging mix of te reo Māori, te reo rotarota (sign language), and te reo Pākehā. It serves as a valuable resource for those interested in understanding how mindful breathing can nurture the tinana (body), hinengaro (mind), and wairua (spirit).

The simplicity of the sentences allows both readers and listeners to establish a meaningful connection with the guided breathing techniques

An aspect worth highlighting is its clear and straightforward language, making the content accessible to a wide audience. The simplicity of the sentences allows both readers and listeners to establish a meaningful connection with the guided breathing techniques, making it suitable for people of all ages.

The inclusion of illustrations showcasing Aotearoa’s natural beauty and Atua Māori enhances the book’s visual appeal and cultural depth, featuring Ranginui, Papatūānuku, Tāne Mahuta, Tāwhirimātea, and Tangaroa.

However, the incorporation of mindfulness checklists and writing activity suggestions within the book might feel a bit disconnected from the main content. This might have been more effective as a separate workbook to complement the mindfulness journey rather than integrated into the text.

Overall, Breathe With Me is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to explore the transformative power of breathwork while appreciating the rich cultural heritage of Aotearoa.

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