Porirua author Pania Tahau-Hodges has launched two new picture books at Pātaka Art + Museum, turning a major moment in recent Māori history into a story for tamariki.
Tahau-Hodges, of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Tūhoe descent, launched the te reo Māori picture book Toitū alongside its English-language companion, Hīkoi: A Māori Alphabet Book for Little (and Not-so-Little) Activists, at Pātaka on 12 September.
The books are illustrated by Josie Selkirk of Ngāti Whātua.
Publisher HUIA says the books were inspired by the 2024 hīkoi to Parliament in response to the Treaty Principles Bill.
The books were inspired by the 2024 hīkoi opposing the Treaty Principles Bill, which brought thousands of people together in defence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Tahau-Hodges created the books to preserve the significance of that moment for tamariki and future generations.
Tahau-Hodges said she wanted young people who witnessed the hīkoi to have a record of what happened.
“The hīkoi brought people from all walks of life together with such strength, purpose and unity, and there were so many tamariki there.
“I wanted them to have a record of that moment, to see themselves and our people in the story, and to understand that they are part of a long legacy of courage, resistance and collective action.”
The launch at Pātaka was held immediately before Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, with whānau invited to bring flags and banners and wear clothing associated with the hīkoi.
HUIA director Eboni Waitere said the books were intended to preserve an important piece of living history for younger generations.
“These books capture a significant moment in our living history. Telling that story through a Māori lens, in te reo Māori and English, helps tamariki understand the courage of those before them and recognise their own place in upholding Te Tiriti and standing strong for our people.”
Toitū is the Māori-language edition, while Hīkoi tells the story in English.
Tahau-Hodges is also a publisher and director of HUIA, with a strong focus on Māori storytelling and Māori language revitalisation. Her earlier picture book Mokopuna Matatini was among six HUIA titles selected for the inaugural IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages.
Both books are now available through HUIA and booksellers: https://huia.co.nz/search?q=toitu
