New Zealand-based husband and wife writing team Mani Malaeulu and Dahlia Malaeulu are releasing a new book this month – ‘Tama Samoa’– the companion book to Mrs. Malaeulu’s ‘Teine Samoa’ launched last year in October. 

Tama Samoa means Samoan boy and Teine Samoa means Samoan girl.

It was “interesting” to co-author ‘Tama Samoa’ with her husband, said Mrs. Malaeulu, the Wellington-born Samoan author of books for Samoan and Pacific Islander children.

She is also the creator of Mila’s Books.

Mr. Malaeulu saying yes to being co-author on ‘Tama Samoa’ was a “blessing” Mrs. Malaeulu said. 

“It was interesting! Definitely blessed he said yes in the end. I guess it worked well because both our work purposes are quite similar: ensuring our people and tamaiti are better supported,” she told the Samoa Observer.

Mrs. Malaeulu is a passionate educator who enjoys creating stories that develop cultural confidence amongst tamaiti (children), fanau (families) and faia’oga (educators).

Mr. Malaeulu is the owner of Empowerment Training, a leadership training company. He has spent more than 10 years in leadership roles, consulting and mentoring high school students, as well as managing and leading teams across the recruitment and financial sector,” according to a statement from the duo.

Tama Samoa is the brother book to Teine Samoa which was released in October 2020. 

“This is not just a story of friendship, brotherhood and healing. Tama Samoa helps us all to reflect, connect and reunite in better supporting each other as who we are. It is also a story of self-discovery and hope for a new tama Samoa code to be created based on real talanoa and understanding,” Mr. and Mrs. Malaeulu explain.

The book reflects Pasifika children and the challenges they face as part of the Samoan diaspora in Aotearoa.

“Real life Samoan students and highly experienced Samoan educators share their personal experiences, challenges and lessons for us all to better support our tamaiti in succeeding as themselves,” the authors say.

‘Tama Samoa’ is a great professional development resource for educators, they added.

It includes the ‘Tama Samoa’ fiction story, student study questions and the Tama Samoa Project, a space created for Samoan male students and teachers to share their experiences and lessons as Samoan men growing up in New Zealand.

‘Tama Samoa’ will be released on 25 September, 2021.

It will be available for purchase from Lagi Routes from the Pacific Store at lagi.co.nz and at Wheeler Books for schools and libraries.