Writing books is an extension of my core purpose: to amplify Indigenous knowledge systems so we can change the narrative for future generations. I write because I want my children and whānau to see their stories on the page. I write because I want the voices of Indigenous wāhine to be documented and remembered. I write because it helps us remember that the answer to our wellbeing lies in our Indigenous systems and ways of being — we just need to reconnect to them.
My Books.
Works by Qiane Matata-Sipu
Ngā Kupenga a Nanny Rina /
Nanny Rina’s Amazing Nets
Written by Qiane Matata-Sipu
Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Published by Penguin Random House, 2024
A heartwarming story for tamariki about aroha, whānau, passing down traditional knowledge and welcoming in the new year. It also includes step-by-step instructions on how to weave a net.
Introduce your tamariki to Nanny Rina.
Available in te reo Māori and English.
This book won a 2024 Storylines Notable Book Award (te reo Māori)
NUKU: Stories of 100 Indigenous Women
Written and photographed by Qiane Matata-Sipu
Published by QIANE+co, 2021
Published by Penguin Random House, 2023
A powerful and important snapshot of Indigenous wāhine today. The stories recorded here include Oscar-nominated filmmakers and award-winning musicians, to scientists, entrepreneurs, tribal leaders, artists, environmental champions, knowledge holders, mothers and more. The youngest is 14 and the eldest in her mid-70s. This book is an invitation for generations of women to see themselves within these pages.
Shortlisted in 2022: Ockham New Zealand Book Awards ‘Booksellers Aotearoa Award for Illustrated Non-Fiction’.
Maki the Tuurehu
Written by Qiane Matata-Sipu and Ngaati-Tahinga Wilson
Illustrated by Moanaroa Te Whata
Published by Te Ahiwaru Trust, 2023
One Sunday while at haka practice on the marae, Hori teases his twin sister Hariata that she will never be good at catching fish because that kind of stuff is only for boys! That is, until Nanny Kahu shares the story of their tuupuna Maki and how she fed her whole village with her impressive fishing skills. A story about Maki the tuurehu and how the whare tuupuna Taamaki Makaurau got its name.
Available in te reo Māori and English.
Works featuring Qiane Matata-Sipu
Joining forces with other artists and thought leaders is a great joy, so I’m grateful to have also contributed to these books with words and/or photography.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi Relationships: People, politics and law
Edited by Metiria Stanton Turei, Nicola R. Wheen and Janine Hayward
Published by Bridget Williams Books, 2024
Everything I know about books: An insider look at publishing in Aotearoa
Edited by Odessa Owens and Theresa Crewdson
Published by Whitireia Publishing, 2023
Peace Action: Struggles for a decolonised and demilitarised Oceania and East Asia
Edited by Valerie Morse
Published by Left of the Equator Press, 2022
Protest Tautohetohe: Objects of resistance, persistence and defiance
Edited by Stephanie Gibson, Matariki Williams and Puawai Cairns
Published by Te Papa Press, 2019
People of the Land: Images and Māori proverbs of Aotearoa, New Zealand
Curated by Hirini Moko Mead and Jean Te Rina Mead
Published by Huia Publishers, 2010
Soon-to-be released
The thing about writing is that you’ve always got another book in you (if I had the time, I’d have hundreds). Here’s a list of what’s to come.
Te Hā o Hineahuone: a wellbeing guide for wāhine (working title)
Written by Qiane Matata-Sipu
To be published by QIANE+co, 2025/26
Te Matihe a Mataoho / Mataoho’s Sneeze
Written by Qiane Matata-Sipu
To be published by Penguin Random House (Puffin Books), September 2025
Available in te reo Māori and English
Support from Creative New Zealand
In 2024, Creative New Zealand supported me to write four more bilingual children's books, centred around female-strong stories. I’m excited to share them with you really soon.
The first will be released in 2025.
My First Ikura
Sharing in ceremony and coming together as a whānau to acknowledge a young girl’s first menstruation, written from her perspective.
W is for Wahine Toa
A bi-lingual Māori alphabet book of empowerment
Mokopapa
Set through the eyes of a child, this book is her experience witnessing her aunties revive traditional Māori tattoo on their marae as they receive moko kauae.
Ōrite ki a Hineahuone / Just like Hineahuone
Celebrating our unique characteristics and personalities and how they reflect and connect to the atua wāhine (female gods)