An Ōtepoti high school student and businesswoman says the success of her new book will be measured not in dollars, but in the impact it has for children seeking to embracing their culture.
Otago Girls’ High School student Ella Moses (Kāi Tahu) has launched her business, Tipu Tonu, as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme, a business innovation programme for high school pupils.
Ella, the sole founder and chief executive of Tipu Tonu, has written Ki a Māori i ngā rā katoa — Be Māori every day.
Her book follows a kōhine (girl) sharing what being Māori means in her everyday life and is written in a mix of te reo Māori, both standardised and Kāi Tahu dialects, and English.
"I’m Māori, so that’s a big part of my life, and education also is," Ella said.
She had written the book and used artificial intelligence to generate the illustrations, Ella said.
The process had been "stressful" and writing a book was not something she had seen herself doing.
"But it’s been amazing and it’s really been great seeing that people really love the idea."
She had sold several copies ahead of her book launch next week and said she thought it would be "quite successful".
"I’m hoping so, not for my sake or profit’s sake, but for the sake of the kids I’m trying to help.
"To make children in New Zealand, not just Māori children, but especially Māori children, feel seen and heard and comfortable in their culture.
"Just realising the beauty of it in everyday life."
