Moira Wairama is a storyteller and writer from Te Whanga-nui-ā –Tara. She has won a number of awards for her children’s picture books and also writes for theatre and radio.
Moira is co-founder of Baggage Books, publisher of her te reo Māori book Arapū Toi, illustrated by Austin Whincup and a finalist in the 2020 NZ Children’s Book awards.
Her most recent book Nani Jo me Ngā Mokopuna Porohīanga, illustrated by Margaret Tolland won the 2024 Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for a children’s book written in Maori. The English version, Nanny Jo and the Wild Mokopuna is also published by Baggage Books.
Nanny Jo and the Wild Mokopuna
The wild mokopuna loved their Nanny Jo. She took them to the park, to the river, to the bush. But when Nanny Jo became sick, the wild mokopuna gathered around her to hear the story of the great fisherman Taramainuku and Te Waka o Rangi. A touching story that celebrates grandmothers, while also highlighting the significance of Matariki as a time to farewell the spirits and celebrate the Maori New Year.
Ko te pukapuka toa mo te Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for Te Reo Maori – The NZ Book Awards For Children and Young Adults 2024.
ISBN 9780473671792 (English)
ISBN 9780473671808 (Te Reo Maori)
Paperback • 32 pages
240 x 260mm
RRP $25
The Mother’s Child
Sometimes when mothers are sad they need to tend to their own creative child. A unique and sophisicated picture book written especially for mothers and maybe to share with their children.
ISBN 9780473326593
Paperback
RRP $25
Arapū Toi is a children’s picture book in te reo Māori jointly published by Baggage Books and BasicallyDifferent Ltd and is sold with an accompanying frieze.
The beautiful artwork is by Kapiti coast artist Austin Whincup with poems by Wellington storyteller and writer Moira Wairama.
ISBN 9780473475482
Paperback + frieze
RRP $30
For more information and book orders visit baggagebooks.co.nz