Authors

She has worked as a teacher for many years and has a great devotion to helping students that struggle. She strives to create fun items that make life easier for teachers and parents. Her current series of handwriting books was conceived out of the great need for a resource that could help students quickly with the issue of letter reversals and handwriting confusion. Written in a storybook style, she found a way to teach with memorable images and add spelling lessons. She has a love for learning and that is a joy that she wants to share with students.

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Malcolm Paterson belongs to Ngāti Whātua iwi, which he represents in heritage and environmental matters. He is the author of the previous three Sharing our Stories books. Malcolm lives with his family in Te Atatū, Auckland. Martin Bailey is a well-known illustrator who has created dozens of children’s books, including illustrations for The Taniwha in our Backyard. He also manages the publisher Black Chook Books. Martin lives in Muriwai.

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Patricia Williams was born in Aotearoa New Zealand and grew up in colonial Fiji. She taught in primary, secondary and adult education, and later set up a support scheme for young people in a psychopaedic hospital. She also became involved in teaching English to immigrants and refugees, supporting them to settle in their new country. Patricia lives in a small community of vowed women, all involved in helping professions. Aside from people, her great love is nature. She strongly believes that we humans need to re-establish those ancient bonds with the natural world if we are to survive as a species.

Lois has taught in various schools around New Zealand. She married Jim in 1967 and soon became a pastor's wife. They have pastored with the Baptist churches of New Zealand for nearly 50 years in Wellington, Auckland, Te Awamutu, Kaitaia, Darfield and Wanaka. In 2017 they travelled the length of the country visiting churches when Jim was president of the NZ Baptist movement. Lois has previously published two photography books, See the Wonder and Changing Seasons.

Jenny Pattrick is an acclaimed historical novelist, whose The Denniston Rose, and its sequel Heart of Coal, are among New Zealand's biggest-selling novels. They have also been republished in an illustrated edition. The former teacher and jeweller's works include the Whanganui novel Landings, and Inheritance, set in Samoa, which, along with all her adult titles, have been number one bestsellers in New Zealand. Other titles include Catching the Current (2005), In Touch with Grace (2006), Skylark (2012), Heartland (2014), Leap of Faith (2017) and Harbouring (2022). In 2009 she received the New Zealand Post Mansfield Fellowship. She has been active in the arts community, and has also written stories, songs and shows for children. Identified by Nicky Pellegrino as 'one of this country's most talented storytellers', it has been said that she creates 'an authentic stage for a cast of characters who interact in ways that always ring true' (The Christchurch Press). Reviewing Landings, Graham Beattie concluded- 'It is not surprising that she is one of NZ's most popular contemporary novelists and this fine piece of historical fiction will further enhance that well-deserved reputation.' For more information go to- https-//jenny-pattrick.com/books-by-jenny/

Gregor Paul is The New Zealand Herald's most respected rugby columnist and is a regular contributor to publications around the world. He has won multiple journalism awards for news, features and opinion writing, and is a sought after guest on radio and TV. His bestselling biography Steve Hansen: The Legacy was shortlisted for the The Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2023. Gregor was born and raised in Scotland, and has lived in Auckland with his wife and three children since 2003.

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Ruth Paul is a multi-award-winning children's author and illustrator. Her work includes Stomp, The King's Bubbles, Bad Dog Flash, the Mini Whinny series (with Stacy Gregg) and I am Jellyfish, which won the 2018 Best Picture Book award at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Her books, which have sold around the world with translations in five languages, are distinguished by playful language, adorable illustrations, giggle-inducing humour and delightful characters. In 2019 Ruth was invited to attend the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival in Dubai and the Bookaroo Festival of Children's Literature in India. Back at home in New Zealand, Ruth lives and works in a straw-bale house at Makara Beach, near Wellington.

Tangaroa Paul (Te Whare Tawhito o Muriwhenua), a poi expert who identifies as gender-fluid, is a lecturer in te reo Māori at the Auckland University of Technology, where they have recently submitted a doctoral thesis in gender studies. Rere Atu Tāku Poi is Tangaroa’s first book. Rebecca Gibbs (Rongowhakaata) has been a primary school teacher and gained a Bachelor of Design (VisCom) in 2015, since when she has worked in illustration and publishing. She lives in Christchurch.