The shortlist for the 2025 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults was announced this week and, among the titles, is a story on the theme of Matariki by journalist and broadcaster Miriama Kamo.
Previously published in English, the book is called Ko Ngā Whetū Kai o Matariki - ko Tupuānuku rāua ko Tupuārangi or The Kai Stars of Matariki.
It's illustrated by Zak Waipara and translated by Ariana Stevens and a nominee for the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for Te Reo Māori.
A host of TVNZ's Marae and codirector of independent production company Herd, for 22 years Miriama fronted TVNZ's long-form current affairs programme Sunday before it finished up in 2024. But well before that happened, Matariki education and Te Reo education were already part of her mission.
Indeed in 2022 Miriama co-wrote the book Matariki Around the World in 2022 with Rangi Mātāmua
As we prepare for Matariki, Miriama Kamo joins us for Culture 101's Fast Favourites.
