Kia ora, I am an illustrator working in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, specialising in book illustration for children and teens from a te ao māori perspective. I hold a diploma in visual arts (UCOL) and a Bachelor in Graphic Design majoring in Illustration from Massey University. My first book, Santa's Worst Christmas(Huia) was nominated for best children's book at the LIANZA children and young adult book awards, and my next book Whiti, Colossal Squid of the Deep (Victoria Cleal, Te Papa Press) won a Whitey award for best children's book. Since then I have worked on three bestsellers and continue to love my job!
Pipi & Pou is an exciting adventure series that transported me to my childhood spent outdoors in the many parks and waterways that carve through the Hutt Valley. The stories highlight the importance for tamariki in connecting with te taiao, finding their purpose as kaitiaki, standing proud in this identity. Kia kaha, Pipi and Pou!