‘O le Lā‘au o le Tau
A story about a boy who comes to New Zealand from Sāmoa and is introduced to the different seasons in New Zealand through the tree in the backyard.
About this resource
Series: Learning languages - Mua Ō!
Reading year level: Year 7–10
Category: Fiction
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'O le Pūlou Pīniki
A story of a typical teenage girl looking for clothes to wear and asks her mother where every piece of clothing is.
1 of 15Pē fia ‘avea ‘oe ma Saienitisi?
In this non-fiction book students meet two New Zealand scientists: research scientist Professor Palatasa Havea, and plant pathologist Amy Maslen-Miller.
2 of 15'Ō le Māketi o Aso To'ona'i
In this play, two eight-year-olds are helping their parents run stalls at a Saturday market. It turns out that quite a lot of mathematics is involved.
3 of 15‘O se Mea Fa‘alilolilo a Pati
After Grandma passes away, Grandpa moves from Auckland to Christchurch to live with his son and his family. One day, when Grandpa takes his grandson fishing, he shares a secret – “When we used to go fishing, your grandma was the one who usually caught most of the fish!”
4 of 15‘O Lea e iai a'u Mea ia e Fai
A humorous story about a boy who cheekily avoids having to do his chores.
5 of 15‘O le Tatalo
An eight-year-old girl in a bilingual class at her school helps her mum learn a grace to say at a work function.
6 of 15Fa'asoa I Talatu'u ma Fāgogo
A nine-year-old boy’s homework involves asking his family about any myths or legends they know. With his mum’s help, he contacts his grandparents in Sāmoa and Tonga and, via computer, they share traditional stories with him.
7 of 15Tālofa ‘O ā Mai ‘Oe?
A story about two students who are followed by a family pet as they go to school.
8 of 15‘O le Fāgogo ‘iā Sina ma le Tuna
This play retells the fāgogo (legend) of Sina and the Eel. Gus Sinaumea Hunter’s illustrations suggest ways in which the play might be performed by students.
9 of 15'O le mamanu o le siapo
In this non-fiction book, Dr Caroline Lolegi Vercoe introduces students to the meaning behind some of the patterns they will encounter on siapo. She explores how contemporary artists, such as Fatu Feu‘u and Michel Tuffery, use siapo patterns in their artwork.
10 of 15'O Junior 'o le Ui'i
A story about the youngest child in the family, who finds it difficult to keep up with their older brothers and sisters.
11 of 15'O Fea o 'Oe e Tīgā?
A story about a classroom activity in which two girls are role-playing an injured grandmother and a first-aid expert.
12 of 15‘O Lo‘u ‘Āiga
Ten-year-old Meleane Lupe loses her family when a tsunami strikes Niuatoputapu. Her uncle and his Samoan wife in New Zealand adopt her, and Meleane moves to Māngere.
13 of 15‘O le malaga fa‘alemāfaufau a le Tusiata Komi
In this graphic novel-style autobiography students learn the childhood and career of Māngere-born comic book artist Michel Mulipola.
14 of 15Mua Ō! An Introduction to Gagana Sāmoa
Resources designed to help teachers plan their gagana Sāmoa programmes.
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