Ihumātao is my home and I've been surrounded by mana wāhine all my life. My upbringing encouraged breaking barriers, there were no limitations. Storytelling was instilled in me from childhood. At 2, I recorded my first ever podcast on a cassette tape, interviewed by my Nan. That must have influenced my later profession as I grew up to be a journalist, photographer, visual artist and, social activist. Specialising in topics of identity, culture, land and women, I’ve worked with publishing companies here and abroad on books and magazines, exhibited as far afield as China and France, worked with industry leaders like Disney and, regularly speak at symposiums and events. My passion is telling the stories of marginalised people and our communities to change the narrative for future generations."
The 100 stories recorded in this legacy publication are of incredible wāhine who seek to influence the world around them. Each offer significance to the story of mana wāhine. From Oscar-nominated filmmakers and award-winning musicians, to scientists, entrepreneurs, tribal leaders, artists, environmental champions, knowledge holders, mothers and more.
The youngest wahine is 14, the eldest is in her mid-70s, and their locations span both North and South Islands of Aotearoa and across to Rēkohu (Chatham Islands). They are wāhine Māori, wāhine Moriori, Pasifika, Melanesian, Wijadjuri, Himalayan and Mexican.
NUKU prioritises and celebrates the wāhine experience: our ceremonies, our knowledge systems, our atua, our kaupapa, our lives. Each kōrero is accompanied by striking photographic portraits, inspiring generations of women to see themselves within these pages.
This book (and the accompanying multi-media series) is entirely led, created by and about, Indigenous women. To honour collective story sovereignty and ensure a foundation of mana motuhake, this book has also been self-published.
Format: 265mm x 205mm (Portrait), with 3 ribbon bookmarks
Internals: 344 pages, printed on high quality 120gsm Woodfree FSC stock