New Bilingual Alphabet Book W Is For Wahine Toa Celebrates The Strength OfWomen For International Women’s Day

A new bilingual Māori alphabet book celebrating the strength and potential of wāhine has launched in Aotearoa just ahead of International Women’s Day.

Written by acclaimed Māori-Pasifika storyteller Qiane Matata-Sipu, W is for Wahine Toa introduces readers to the beauty of te reo Māori while sharing messages of courage, identity and strength.

Far from a traditional alphabet book, the kaupapa behind it reaches beyond tamariki. Each letter offers a reflection on qualities that build confident, resilient wāhine, making the book a guide and source of inspiration for readers of all ages.

The sold out launch event was supported by Hāpai te Hauora and brought to the stage empowering koorero by wāhine who embody the theme of the book, including high-performance athlete, coach and broadcaster Jenny-May Clarkson, māmā and best-selling author living by Māori philosophies

Hana Tapiata and multi dimensional artist Te Kahureremoa, who entranced the audience with her unique ancient-futuristic musical style with taonga pūoro.

Matata-Sipu describes the book as a collection of life lessons she hopes women and girls will carry with them.

“This book is my advice to women and girls. It’s about the values and strengths that help us walk confidently in the world, knowing who we are and where we come from. It draws deeply from my own experiences; over 20 years championing mana motuhake for Indigenous communities, working for my marae and hapū, and leading movements like Protect Ihumātao and NUKU. Those experiences taught me the importance of standing tall, speaking up and leading with heart, lessons I wanted to pass on.

“We all deserve to see the strength of wāhine reflected back to us. Through language, storytelling and the stunning imagery by renowned artist Isobel Joy Te Aho-White, this book reminds us that courage, wisdom and leadership live within all of us.”

W is for Wahine Toa continues Matata-Sipu’s growing body of work championing wāhine and Indigenous storytelling. Her landmark publication NUKU: Stories of 100 Indigenous Women brought together the voices and portraits of 100 Indigenous wāhine, creating what many have described as a powerful snapshot of Indigenous leadership and lived experience across Aotearoa and beyond. The book was shortlisted for the 2022 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards for illustrated non-fiction.

In recent years, Matata-Sipu has also released several acclaimed children’s books including My First Ikura / Taku Ikura Tuatahi, a groundbreaking puberty book exploring first menstruation through a Māori cultural lens, and Ngā Kupenga a Nanny Rina / Nanny Rina's Amazing Nets, which celebrates traditional knowledge and intergenerational learning.

A respected creative leader and storyteller, Matata-Sipu was awarded the Women of Influence Arts and Culture Award in 2021 and was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2023 for her services to the arts and her contribution to amplifying Māori and Pasifika voices.

Launching alongside global celebrations of International Women's Day, W is for Wahine Toa reflects the same kaupapa: recognising the power, leadership and influence of women in shaping our communities and our future.

At its heart, the book is both a learning tool and a celebration, a reminder that when we uplift women, we uplift generations.

Book details
Written by Qiane Matata-Sipu
Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Designed by Chloē Reweti
Editorial support by Stacey Morrison and Jeremy Sherlock
Published by QIANE+co
ISBN: 9780473748708
RRP: $24.99
Distributed by Bateman Books, W is for Wahine Toa is available in book stores and gift shops nationwide now.

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