Pasifika Heroes Books empower the next generation
Move over Marvel. Brown Superheroes are about to take over the world - and the imaginations of Pacific young people.
The Pasifika Heroes book set is the latest release by South Auckland-based teacher and author David Riley that caters to a growing need of Pasifika literature in New Zealand.
The four-book set features more than 100 inspirational stories of Pacific achievers from legend, history and today in a bid to help encourage young people to read more and to aspire to their dreams.
“It was always difficult to find books that my students wanted to read about,” says Riley. “I want Pacific young people to read more so that their literacy levels are just as good as anyone else’s and that they are reading stories they can connect with.”
According to a 2017 report published by Pasifika Futures, New Zealand’s Pacific peoples are a diverse and dynamic group with the fastest growing young population.
Almost half of this population are under 20 years of age and Pacific families have more children than any other ethnic group in New Zealand.
The Pacific population has the highest proportion of children under 14.
By 2026 it is projected that Pacific peoples will make up 10 percent of the population. Riley says it is important that Pacific children see themselves depicted in books.
“When kids read these books, it helps them to visualise what they are capable of being when they see people from the same background as them doing amazing things in different fields and at a world class level.”
He adds that Pacific literature is also important in tackling stereotypes and narratives so often used by others to portray Pacific people and label them negatively.
However, trying to change that narrative has been challenging for him..
“Pasifika boys, especially teenagers are often told ‘you don’t read enough,’ or ‘you’re below average in literacy,’ he says. “But who is making work for them to help them? I sent one of my early books to a publisher who told me there’s not enough of a market to publish books aimed at Pasifika boys. That’s why I decided to publish it myself.”
He credits Pacific authors like Sia Figiel, Oscar Kightley, Grace Taylor and Lani Wendt Young for helping to break down barriers for writers.
Riley says some of the positive feedback he’s received is that his books are bringing families closer together. Children show the books to their parents and grandparents who read with them, which then leads to conversations about the people featured in the books.
Growing up as a ‘Palagi’ boy in Mangere South Auckland, Riley says he naturally fell in love with Pacific Cultures.
He had many Pacific Island friends and eventually met his Samoan wife Lauano Sulufaleese Deborah Riley (Leauva’a/Sataoa) who is also a teacher.
Riley has travelled extensively throughout the Pacific. During his university years he focused a lot on Maori and Pacific studies.
He currently teaches at Otara’s Tangaroa college where he has been teaching for over 20 years.
He says that as a ‘Palagi’ author writing Pacific stories, it is important for him to work closely with people of these cultures from illustrators, advisors and academics.
For the Pasifika Heroes project, he is grateful to have collaborated with award winning Samoan comic book artist Michael Mulipola; Moses Viliamu, Chad Robertson and Munro Te Whata
The Pasifika Heroes set of four books are titled: Samoa Heroes, Cook Island Heroes, Tokelau Heroes and Tongan Heroes.
Each book can be purchased separately for 24.95 NZD plus gst or the whole set (one book free) for 75.00 NZD plus gst from his online store https://readingwarrior.com/
