Oratia Books is proud to announce a new series to bring bilingual reading about the South Pacific to children in New Zealand and the islands.

Devised and delivered by Carolyn Lagahetau, Oratia’s Niuean-Kiwi editorial director, the Moana Oceania Series aims to address the lack of good reading materials about the South Pacific not only in English but also in local languages.

The non-fiction books that kick off the series provide an introduction to two Polynesian island nations, aimed at for readers aged 8 and over but accessible by all ages, and produced by Pasifika creatives.

Rarotonga-based author Jean Tekura Mason wrote both the English and Cook Islands Māori text of Cook Islands – Kūki ‘Airani to outline key aspects of life, culture and history in her country.

This colourful paperback sets out the seven pillars of life in the Cook Islands, with concise text on key aspects of the nation including education, language, history, environment, art, sport and culture.

Illustrated with full colour photographs and illustrations throughout, and numerous boxes of information to make the text easy to access, these first entries in the Moana Oceania Series bring the South Pacific closer to all of us.