Abbas Nazari

Nazari, Abbas (1995 - ) is a best-selling author, refugee advocate and public speaker. In 2001, Abbas and his family were resettled to New Zealand, after fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan as refugees and being rescued by the Tampa container ship, a saga that became known as the Tampa affair. Abbas went on to win a Fulbright scholarship to the United States in 2019, graduating with a Masters in Security Studies from Georgetown University, Washington DC.

Abbas published his memoir After the Tampa: From Afghanistan to New Zealand with Allen & Unwin in 2021. The book became a number one best seller, with former Prime Minister Helen Clark describing the story as ‘extraordinary’.

John Campbell discussed the book on TVNZ’s Breakfast, saying ‘After the Tampa tells the heart-breaking, life affirming, heroic, remarkable story of fleeing the Taliban. A stunning book, beautifully, gently written, unflinching but also full of compassion and hope. This is a beautiful book.’

Now an author, personal trainer, public speaker and a business owner, Abbas was named a finalist in the University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year for 2022.

LINKS:

Abbas Nazari articles on The Spinoff

Edited extract from After the Tampa in The Guardian

Abbas Nazari in conversation with Helen Clark at WORD Christchurch 2021

TKI link to School Journal Level 4 June 2022 From Afghanistan to Aotearoaby Abbas Nazari illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers