Hutt Valley author debuts a 90s coming-of-age Tokelau tale

A Tokelau-Uvea-Sāmoa creative has made her writing debut with the release of a bilingual novel titled Hiva & Heartbeats.

Selina Alesana Alefosio’s middle-grade book is a nostalgic and heart-centred story inspired by her upbringing in the Hutt Valley and the cultural rhythms that shaped her youth.

Published by Mila’s Books, the story follows Epi, a Tokelauan girl growing up in 1990s Aotearoa New Zealand as she navigates school, family expectations, sister-cousin secrets, and first crushes - all to the soundtrack of the decade's iconic R&B slow jams.

Written predominantly in English and interwoven with Te Gagana Tokelau, with a glossary for support, the book celebrates Aotearoa-born Pacific identity and the delicate art of balancing heritage with pop culture in an ever-evolving world.

For Alefosio, the story is a blend of memories, music, and the values instilled by her Tokelau grandparents, Vitolia and Isitolo Koloi, as well as the wider Catholic Tokelau community in Pito-one, also known as Petone.

“We were blessed to be grandparents’ children,” Alefosio says in an interview on Island Time. “The transfer of knowledge, of language, and all of those things for myself, my siblings, and my kāiga (family).”

Watch Selina Alesana Alefosio's full interview below.

Alefosio has lifelong experiences as a performer and dance practitioner, teaching at New Zealand’s prestigious drama school, Te Kura Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa.

She and her husband, Sale Alefosio, co-founded Kupenga Affect, an arts entity dedicated to reconnecting Tokelau, Uvea, and Sāmoan families to their ancestral wisdom.

She learnt Tokelau hiva in her grandparents’ garage, performed at church, family events, funerals, and celebrations. Despite her extensive background in cultural grounding practices, Alefosio has been hesitant to identify as an author.

Alefosio says it was her mentor, Dahlia Malaeulu, the founder of Mila’s Books, who encouraged her to trust her storytelling instincts.

“To be honest, I was a very reluctant author because I didn’t always see myself as an author,” she says. “But Dahlia, my husband, and those close to me, encouraging…we are all storytellers.

“That reminder, whatever form of storytelling, my background is in performing art, that's my love language, but it all connects.”

Choosing the 90s as the setting felt inevitable for Alefosio. The era was rich and formative for her. “There’s a connection between young and old in that music,” she says. “For me, it pays homage to the people who were really important and impactful in my life.”

In a social media post, Mila’s Books congratulated Alefosio on the success of her book launch.

“To Selina, Sale, and your beautiful kids, who were all part of this beautiful book in different ways - fakafetai for trusting us with your story, especially your journey Selina as an author.

“Super proud of you, our sister and whakawhetai for all that you do across our Pacific communities and for writing this story to help so many more tamaiti feel seen, heard and valued. This is why we do what we do and we are grateful to have you part of our Mila’s Books village for life.”

Hiva & Heartbeat is aimed at intermediate schoolers aged nine to 12. Alefosio hopes that Epi’s story resonates with many urban Pacific young girls.

As readers follow her journey of identity and self-discovery, they’ll learn that staying true to one’s roots is “the real glow up”. The book empowers them to stand tall in knowing who they are and where they come from.

Described as the coming-of-age story “for every young person dancing between worlds to find their own rhythm” Alefosio stresses its importance.

“I think this book is really important [so] that we have an Aotearoa-born voice and the balance,” she says. “Because we've had to live and shift, I've heard the code-shifting. This book pays homage to that, and I think it's important to do that.

“If one person can take something away from the book, I’m forever grateful. Even if it’s just a laugh.”

Alefosio hopes to see Hiva & Heartbeat on classroom shelves, in youth book clubs, or with anyone who wants to relive the memories of their first 90s slow jam.

Hiva & Heartbeats and is available for purchase here.