Learning Media - Te Pou Taki Kõrero

Tupu means “grow” in all the Pasifika languages. The Tupu series enriches the teaching of Pasifika languages and cultures. It's published in five languages and contains a variety of genres including stories, non-fiction material, poems, and plays.

The brief

To raise the achievement of Pasifika children and all New Zealand children who have an interest in a Pasifika language and to help teachers support students in learning the languages, making connections with other languages, and developing a love of reading.

Our solution

We publish the Tupu series in the languages of gagana Såmoa, gagana Tokelau, Tongan, vagahau Niue, and Cook Islands Māori. One book per language is published per year and is supported by teacher support materials. The books are set in both the Pacific nations and in New Zealand. They contain a variety of genres including stories, non-fiction, and plays. Often, an audio CD of the books is also produced.

The titles are published with full-colour illustrations that contribute to the cultural content. The texts are chosen for their appeal to Pasifika children (for example, by reflecting the experiences of modern Pasifika New Zealanders) and by their literary excellence, their relevance to the curriculum, and their authenticity as Pasifika-language texts.

We ask writers to write in the Pasifika language, rather than write in English and have it translated. All texts are checked by fluent speakers of the language, and all illustrations are checked for cultural appropriateness. Through Tupu, we are encouraging the development of new Pasifika writers and illustrators.

The series complements the other Pasifika language resources we publish for New Zealand early childhood centres and schools, such as the journal Fōlauga.