Award-Winning Author Shares Bilingual Tale Of How Words Can Teach Kids To Help Around The House

‘How many times do I have to ask?’

That’s a question lots of parents have to put to their kids, after many other requests for help around the house.

In Tim Tipene’s story, Tammy and Luca are always busy with screens and  games to hear Mum asking them to do chores.  

That’s until Mum’s words come to life and take over the house, pinning  Grandpa to his chair and launching the kids into action. 

Italian-Kiwi artist Nicoletta Benella adds brilliant illustrations, with Rotorua-based Kanapu Rangitauira providing the translation.  

How Many Times? publishes in early September, ahead of Te Wiki o te  Reo Māori – Māori Language Week 2025. 

The authors 

Tim Tipene (Ngāti Kurī, Te Uri-o-Hau, Ngāti Whātua) is a pioneering youth  counsellor and author of over 20 children’s books, including Kura Toa Warrior School, The Ever-Standing Tree and The Book that Wouldn’t Read. A  full-time writer, Tim lives in Rānui, Auckland. 

Nicoletta Benella is an artist originally from north-eastern Italy, where she  was a designer for fashion house Benetton. She illustrated The Book that Wouldn’t Read. Nicoletta lives in Hatfields Beach, Auckland. 

Kanapu Rangitauira (Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou, Te Whakatōhea) is a registered  translator of te reo Māori who has translated numerous titles for Oratia Books. He lives in Rotoiti, Rotorua.

Publication: 4 September 2025 | ISBN: 978-1-004281-2 | RRP $22.99 

Paperback, 270 x 210 mm portrait, 32 pages, colour

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