Authors

Kat Quin is a best-selling and award-winning author, illustrator and designer from the Waikato. The Kuwi and Friends Maori Picture Dictionary was inspired by her children, who have been passionately learning te reo Maori at school. Her hope is that this series will provide an accessible and practical way to help whanau (family members) feel confident to use more Maori words in the home. Kat first worked with Pania Papa at the age of eighteen, when she was entrusted with the illustration of Maori language resources for Te Ara Reo Maori, developed by Takatu Associates Ltd. Over twenty years on, they still work closely together on various educational projects. Pania Papa is an acclaimed Maori language consultant and advocate who has spent the past three decades devoted to the teaching and learning of te reo Maori. After ten years of teaching te reo at Waikato University, Pania began to create Maori language resources and learning programmes through Takatu Associates Ltd. Maori TV viewers can watch Pania, on AKO and Opaki. Recently, Pania and fellow trustees launched Kotahi Rau Pukapuka, a charitable project aiming to release 100 books in te reo over the next decade. Pania translated all of the te reo Maori in this pukapuka (book), as well as advising and editing.

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Max Quinn is a wildlife filmmaker with over 50 years of experience in television production. He has filmed in areas from Antarctica to Mexico; Taiwan to Tibet, for broadcasters such as Discovery Channel and National Geographic. Now ‘retired’, he continues to do freelance projects around the globe.

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Born 1952 in New Zealand. Mother, Grandmother, Great Grand mother, Singer songwriter, performer. Artist, Writer, Animal advocate. Lover of nature. Lives in a forest setting in South Waikato.

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With a string of awards including the country's highest accolades for television, comedy and writing, Te Radar is one of New Zealand's most recognised entertainers. Despite growing up on a farm he's also (unofficially) New Zealand's worst television gardener. He continues to immerse himself in rural New Zealand, MCing events such as Fieldays and Young Farmer of the Year. His live comedy shows celebrate his love for the quirkier side of New Zealand history, and his TV career has seen him filming everywhere from Timor to Timbuctoo. For more see www.radarswebsite.com Ruth Spencer has an MA in Theatre and Film Studies, somewhere. She has a professional performing background in theatre, stand-up comedy and circus cabaret. She sometimes sings in a glam rock band which is not relevant but sounds cool. Now a humour writer and researcher for print, television and live comedy, Ruth's written work has appeared in Metro, North & South, Woman,The New Zealand Herald, and Sunday Star-Times. She's looking forward to publishing her debut novel, which she will definitely start writing soon.

Danni Rae has been working with animals for over 17 years as a zookeeper, wildlife biologist and tour guide. She wants to use her expertise in wildlife and science communication to connect children to nature through her children’s picture book series. When she isn’t working or studying, Danni can be found writing, hiking, reading and travelling – usually to view amazing species in the wild.

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