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Reviewed by Nat Lagah, Teacher, South Makirikiri School, Whanganui/Manawatu
Opening sentence
Ahakoa tō ira, ahakoa nō hea koe, ahakoa nā wai koe, nau mai! However you identify, wherever you're from, whomever you belong to, this collection of pūrākau and interpretations of their wisdom is for you.
Atua Wāhine is a book best suited for older readers. While you don't have to have an interest or knowledge of Māori culture and te reo Māori, it would help with your understanding of the language and themes used in the book.

Drawing upon pūrākau retold over many generations, this book provides the reader with wisdom and intelligence that they could implement into their own lives and mental health journeys. While some might think that this is just another self-help book, the integration of Te Ao Māori into the lessons will encourage a deeper connection with students who have passion for Māori culture.

Each pūrākau is easily read and understood, and there are plenty of questions throughout that help you to relate these lessons into your own lives and situations.
Author & Illustrator: Hana Tapiata
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 9781775542520
Format: Hardback
Publication: Sep 2024
Ages: 10+ years
Themes: Māori culture, female empowerment