Speech given at launch of "Papa's Donuts", The Children's Bookshop, Kilbirnie, Wellington.

Kia orana Katoatoa.

Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Ni sa bula vinaka, Namaste, Ia Orana, Gud de tru olgeta, Taloha ni, Talofa, Kia ora tatou and Warm Pacific Greetings to you all this evening.

Thank you John (McIntyre) for your warm introduction and thank you for opening up your fabulous bookshop for this evening's launch.

I am delighted to be here to acknowledge the woman at the centre of tonight’s event, author Kate Moetaua, and also acknowledge her immediate family and extended family here this evening.

It is my absolute pleasure to launch Kate’s book Papa’s Donuts and to celebrate the work of this talented woman.

I understand that to undertake a task like creating a children’s book takes an enormous amount of energy and creativity.

A children’s book is not a children’s book without the inclusion of bright, colourful and enchanting illustrations to match the words and captivate the imagination.

It is also my pleasure the evening to acknowledge the wonderful work of artist Bruce Potter in illustrating the book we are here to launch tonight. You have brought the book alive – your pictures tell the story.

Of course it takes more than text and illustrations to get the book onto the shelves and into the hands of our young ones.

Behind each author and illustrator is a publishing house that transforms the initial dream into a completed product ready for the bookshelf.

I would like to congratulate Reed Publishing for adding Papa’s Donuts to their growing list of Pacific titles.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge all of those people who have been working with and supporting Kate throughout the formation of this story of Pacific childhood.

I know that the support of family and friends is always paramount when one sets out on a task such as this.

Papa’s Donuts is a welcome addition to a wide-ranging list of publications that highlight our Pacific culture and tastes, and bring to light the collective stories and journeys of Pacific people in New Zealand.

This year has seen the publishing of books about stories of people told through Pacific eyes and about our unique Pacific languages.

Kate, through tonight’s launch, you have added yourself to the growing list of talent individuals who are sharing the creative and innovative talents that our Pacific people have with the rest of New Zealand.

Earlier this year I was privileged to acknowledge the winner of the first Best Book Award for Poetry at the Montana Book Awards, Tongan Poet Karlo Mila.

Karlo’s book 'Dream Fish Floating' - which I might add also comes from the Reed Publishing stable - is a book that reflects the journeys of Pacific communities in New Zealand.

Papa’s Donuts also represents these journeys. It tells a story of childhood in New Zealand through Pacific eyes.

And what a great story this book is. I really enjoyed reading it.

From the aunties’ playing cards in the kitchen, the cousins asleep on the floor, selling donuts to all the aunties from the PIC church at a market stall in Newtown – Papa’s Donuts is a truly 'Pacific' view of growing up in New Zealand. Food is a great connecter and is part of the essence of our families, communities and culture.

This book is special. In a small way, it adds to our nation's rich cultural fabric, our growing sense of national identity and our confidence as New Zealand and Pacific people. The Porirua, Newtown and Otara markets are great examples of this.

The Labour-led government sees national identity as building pride how we see ourselves as a nation. It is about celebrating the achievements and successes of our people and our communities.

It is about cherishing our unique place in the world and utilising the wonderful opportunity this brings, ad to support and celebrate our stories.

As New Zealand forges ahead into the future, more opportunities for our Pacific people to show leadership will open.

The Pacific population in New Zealand is now the youngest and fastest growing of any group and this is why their cultures, support and values provide a context of belonging.

Our young Pacific people - people who have grown up surrounded by their aunties playing cards, with cousins sleeping with their extended family on the floor, and with the influence of their Mama's and Papa’s - are tomorrows leaders in business, education and politics.

The love of our family, our community and culture stays with us and this story illustrates this through the relationship between Papa and his granddaughter.

This evening Kate has shown us an excellent example of the talent and creativity that flows through our Pacific traditions and stories.

Our culture, heritage, energy and inclusiveness all make a positive contribution to an ever-evolving New Zealand way of doing things. That is why tonight is so special for our Cook Island community, and for all of our New Zealand Pacific community as well.

Kate, you clearly have the type of attitude, skill and talent that will forge a path to success for Pacific families in New Zealand.

You have shown us another way where we can celebrate the true meanings of respecting our cultural traditions and our values with our stories and our inclusive multicultural Pacific communities.

I would like to finish with an old Cook Island saying. I think it appropriately encompasses the true value and meaning of this book in the wider context of our culture and society.

Kare te au peu e ko tei toia'ua ki muri, mari ra ko te rave'ia nei
'I teia 'ati'anga, e te ka rave 'ia i te au tuatau ki mua.
Ko te peu tupuna, ko ta tatou i mua ana, 'i teianei, e te au tu,
Ta tatou e umuumu nei.

"Culture is not just the past. It is the present and the future.
It is what we once were. But it is also what we hope to be."

This book enriches both our Pacific culture and our New Zealand culture. It is fun, colourful, entertaining, nostalgic and will be enjoyed by many children I'm sure. Every child should read this story and as a grey haired aunty myself, I loved it.

It is now my great pleasure to officially launch 'Papa’s Donuts' by Kate Moetaua.

Aroa,
Meitaki Maata.