Since he was born, Riwia's baby brother, Tawa, has been in Auckland Hospital, and his family has come to stay in Auckland. While Riwia goes to school and Dad works as a cook, Mum stays with Tawa. Their Aunty Sue's house is full, and renting is expensive, so Riwia and her parents live in a van, the Stargazer, in the park. Sometimes it's scary at night when people shout at them in the park, but the weekend is good when they go to Aunty Sue's and Dad cooks a boil-up and they all have a shower. But Tawa is getting sicker, and he dies. The family travels back to Te Teko, taking Tawa to the...

I Don't Like Wednesdays is about a young boy learning to cope with his grief after his older brother, Apa, dies on a Wednesday. The boy was very close with Apa, and his death leaves the boy with a mix of feelings and lots of questions. With the help of his community, family and school, the boy begins to understand his brother's suicide, and his own emotions. The story gently explores the challenging situation in an understated manner, with simple language and from the boy's perspective in a way that children will understand. It shows how relationships and connections to those around us...

Rangi's life changes one night when he tries to protect his mum from being beaten by her boyfriend. But she is badly injured and taken to hospital. Rangi goes to live with Nan and Koro, and during this time, he gets a homework project he thinks is impossible -about his mum and her work. He thinks he can't do it because his mum doesn't work. But Nan and Koro know differently and get out photographs, articles and trophies to show Rangi her achievements and abilities as an activist, volunteer, fundraiser and sports champion. When Rangi shows these to his mum and they talk about the stories,...

A little boy experiences family violence and physical abuse, and he turns inwards and is unable to express his feelings and sadness. Gradually, through the help of his nan, his cousin, uncle and a child psychologist he rebuilds his self-esteem and begins to find happiness again and regains a sense of who he is and where he belongs. As he feels people's love and their belief in him, his inner light warms and grows. He finds he can do things, feel joy again and connect with people.

The authors explore understandings and practices of indigenous people, grounded in the knowledge of ancestors and based on research, that facilitate healing and wellbeing.The first part of the book focuses on research findings from He Oranga Ngakau: Maori Approaches to Trauma Informed Care, which supports health providers working with whanau experiencing trauma.  It discusses tikanga Maori concepts, decolonising approaches and navigating mauri ora.The subsequent chapters explore indigenous models of healing, focusing on connections to  land  and the  environment, whakapapa connections...