Te Oranga Mauri – Wellbeing Storybooks
Te Oranga Mauri – Wellbeing Storybooks are inspired by children’s real-life experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns in Aotearoa New Zealand. There are five storybooks written in different languages, aimed at ākonga aged 3–8 years old.
About this resource
Inspired by the real-life experiences of children during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Aotearoa New Zealand, Te Oranga Mauri – Wellbeing Storybooks have been created to support ākonga wellbeing and address mental health issues caused by the pandemic.
The series consists of five storybooks, written in different languages, with teacher support materials that align across multiple curricula – Te Whāriki: He Whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa, Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, and The 2007 New Zealand Curriculum. This adaptable curriculum content is relevant for ākonga from early childhood through year 4. There are also materials with story prompts and discussion tools for whānau to use at home.
The storybooks have all been digitised into animated videos with voiceovers and narration in the different languages, including New Zealand Sign Language.
Te Oranga Mauri – Wellbeing Storybooks
Sammy’s Koha
Words by Tania Roxborogh
Illustrations by Sarah Illingworth
Written in English and te reo Māori
Sammy’s Koha is set during the first lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is based on the activities of a small community that came together to support tamariki whose birthdays were during lockdown.
Te Whānau Aroha o Tipene
Ko ngā kōrero nā Amiria Stirling
Ko ngā pikitia nā Story Hemi-Morehouse
Written in te reo Māori only
E whakaatu mai ana te pūrākau i ngā wheako i puta i te rāhui, ā, kua hoki katoa atu te whānau ki te kāinga noho ai, mahi ai.
Kua tīmata te tohe o te whānau o Tipene i ngā wā mahi, i ngā wā wānanga hoki. Heoi ka puta ake he rongo ohorere, he rongo pōuri rawa. Kua mate mai tētahi o te whānau. Ahakoa te aha, ka pūmau tonu te aroha o te whānau.
‘Amanaki Learns at Home - Ako ‘a ‘Amanaki ‘i ‘api
Words by Mafi and David Taumoepeau
Illustrations by Lincoln Moa
Written in English and lea faka Tonga
‘Amanaki Learns at Home is a story about two young Tongan brothers and the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown, which creates unfamiliar changes within their home.
The story follows the boys as they navigate these uncertainties and learn to adjust to the changes around them.
Kiara Loves White Sunday - E fiafia tele Kiara i le Lotu Tamaiti
Words by Rosettastone Iupeli
Illustrations by Vaitoa Baker
Written in English and gagana Samoa
Kiara Loves White Sunday follows the journey of an aiga as they navigate and support each other through the changes in their world because of COVID-19.
With the support and guidance of her aiga members, Kiara works through her feelings and proudly stands to recite her Tatalo at White Sunday alongside her cousins and little sister.
A Kite for Tiare - E Manu na Tiare
Words by Teremoana MaUa Hodges
Illustrations by Vaitoa Baker
Written in English and te reo Māori Kūkī ‘Āirani
A Kite for Tiare shares the story of an extended family and their approach to supporting children’s understanding of lockdown through cultural narratives.
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Sammy's Koha
Sammy’s Koha is set during the first lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is based on the activities of a small community that came together to support tamariki whose birthdays were during lockdown.
1 of 5Te Whānau Aroha o Tipene
E whakaatu mai ana te pūrākau i ngā wheako i puta i te rāhui, ā, kua hoki katoa atu te whānau ki te kāinga noho ai, mahi ai. Kua tīmata te tohe o te whānau o Tipene i ngā wā mahi, i ngā wā wānanga hoki. Heoi ka puta ake he rongo ohorere, he rongo pōuri rawa. Kua mate mai tētahi o te whānau. Ahakoa...
2 of 5Ako ‘a ‘Amanaki ‘i ‘api - ‘Amanaki Learns at Home
‘Amanaki Learns at Home is a story about two young Tongan brothers and the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown, which creates unfamiliar changes within their home.The story follows the boys as they navigate these uncertainties and learn to adjust to the changes around them.
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Kiara Loves White Sunday follows the journey of an aiga as they navigate and support each other through the changes in their world because of COVID-19. With the support and guidance of her aiga members, Kiara works through her feelings and proudly stands to recite her Tatalo at White Sunday alongsid...
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