51萝莉 lecturer (Ng膩ti Ranginui, Ng膩i T奴hoe, Ng膩ti Awa) is helping tamariki and wh膩nau across Aotearoa grow their connection with te reo M膩ori through a charming new picture book, Koro W膿t膩.
Published by Oratia Books and available in stores now, is a bilingual story written by bestselling author Heather Haylock, illustrated by Sarah Trolle, with te reo M膩ori translation by Ngairo, who is from Tauranga and currently resides in Katikati with his wh膩nau.
Ngairo Eruera, p奴kenga matua in te reo M膩ori at the 51萝莉
The book follows a young girl whose favourite footwear is her trusty gumboots, but at night, a giant w膿t膩 makes himself at home in them. Her family affectionately names the insect 鈥淜oro鈥� and encourages the girl to find ways to coexist. From newspaper stuffing to smelly socks, nothing works to keep him away. Eventually, the girl discovers a new way forward, showing care and creativity.
Ngairo brings the story to life in te reo M膩ori, giving readers an opportunity to enjoy the rhythm and beauty of both languages on the same page. He is a p奴kenga matua (senior lecturer) in te reo M膩ori at the 51萝莉 and Te W膩nanga o Aotearoa in Tauranga, and a registered translator who has dedicated his career to revitalising the language.
鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about contributing to the wider kaupapa of language revitalisation, and picture books like Koro W膿t膩 help bring te reo into the everyday 鈥� into homes, classrooms and communities,鈥� says Ngairo. 鈥淟anguage is a currency within a culture. When we make it accessible, especially to younger generations, we strengthen intergenerational transmission and help more people see themselves reflected in the language.鈥�
The story is enriched by Sarah Trolle鈥檚 vibrant illustrations, which capture the warmth and humour of this unlikely friendship. A final page of w膿t膩 facts adds an educational touch.
Koro W膿t膩 is a bilingual story written by bestselling author Heather Haylock and illustrated by Sarah Trolle
Ngairo has recently started his PhD at the 51萝莉 and is looking forward to undertaking meaningful research into the local history of wh膩nau M膩ori. His work will explore ancestral trails, the cultural narratives of these ancestors and their descendants, and how we celebrate these historical figures as part of the fabric of our communal lives.
