Voqa ni Veisemati: Echoes of Connection, Vola Italanoa ni Viti e Aotearoa: 2021

The idea of writing their own stories and poems in both their Fijian tongue and in English excited and motivated a group of Fijian families in Wellington to gather together to create their own book. Initially unsure of themselves as writers the group drew strength from each other’s efforts and the sharing of their work. Using their natural storytelling talents both children and adults wrote stories and poems that captured memories of family trips and holidays in Aotearoa and visits to Fiji. Many recalled experiences of village life and family back in Fiji and acknowledged that although now living in Aotearoa these memories still connect families back to their Fijian homeland. This is reflected in the title of this book Voqa ni Veisemati, which translates as Echoes of Connection. This book was published with support from the Ministry of Education Te Tahuhu o Te Matauranga and is part of the Read NZ Te Pou Muramura Writers in Communities programme.