Newly launched children’s book celebrates Niue’s diaspora

A new collection of Pacific stories has launched its first of the series in Niue.

The Niue book is the first book in the Reading Warriors Moana Oceania series, which invited children of Niue heritage from around the world to tell stories of Niue in their unique way.

The book was launched at Niue Primary School, and author David Riley said the book was an important extension of Niue culture.

“When I was teaching it’s really hard to find books for Pacific young people about topics they’re interested in. For example if you want to find books about Niue history, it’s really hard to find something about Niue history for children.

“You can find many university level books about Niue history, but not many written for children.

“So what better way to make one then to have it written by children.”

Riley said children from 40 different countries around the world including Japan, Canada and Norway contributed to the book in “their own words”.

Students from Niue Primary School. Photo/Sariah Magaoa.

“Niue Primary, Favona Primary and Rowandale contributed stories about history and culture of Niue in their own words and their own perspective.

“A huge thank you to all the teachers involved, and all the families. This is the first book in the series, there will be one on Sāmoa next year, then Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji.

“But Niue is first. To celebrate your 50th (Constitution Day). How awesome is it to have a book for Niue history and culture, that’s written by children and their families.”

One of New Zealand's three Vagahau Niue bi-lingual unit schools, Favona Primary School, attended the launch.

Favona Primary School Principal says the book is a positive reflection of the young people's knowledge and understanding of their heritage.

“I think it’s really appropriate when we’re looking at a book, looking at the words of our young people, their knowledge and understanding being saved and recorded for the future.

“I think it’s very appropriate today that we have so many people in this place who have been at Favona School over the years who have fed and nurtured our Niue children before we had the opportunity to have the bilingual classes.

“For the last 38 years, there has been the dedication of Mele Nemaia, Sheila, Alda, Joylan, many of those people who have committed many years of work.I want to acknowledge Lynn Pavihi who has come in and grown and nurtured that.

“(They’ve had) many words and many actions for our young people to come through with a strong sense of Vagahau Niue in New Zealand.”

Former Favona Primary School teacher Mele Nemaia thanked everyone involved in forming the book.

Students from Favona Primary School arriving in Niue. Photo/Sariah Magaoa.

“We discussed this two to three years ago, and I left in 2022. David Riley said, ‘do you think we can still get that book about Niue’ I said yes it can be done!

“I feel so proud and feel so honored to see that book, written by the children, for the children and how they see the world and how they see Niue. The stories from their families, the food, the culture.”

For Niue Primary School Principal Carol Edwards said these things make all Niue students one “big family”.

“We’re grateful for the sharing of knowledge of our children, of our teachers, all these things make us one big family. We’re also grateful for an education perspective to have many firsts.

“We were also first in Auckland, of the three bilingual schools in Auckland, plus Niue Primary School put on the first ever concert for Niue. This all happened in our 50th year, and this year should be something these children should remember.

“I believe these are memories they will hold forever.”