Arts
Ataria Sharman knows how tough it is to make a living as a writer. The essayist, poet, social entrepreneur and editor at The Pantograph Punch is constantly looking for new ways to encourage Maori - particularly wahine Maori - to publish their work. In 2018, Ataria set up the social enterprise Awa Wahine. It offers a platform to tautoko (support) wahine Maori in their creativie and entrepreneurial endeavours. Now Ataria is turning her attention to the next generation, publishing a fantasy book for young readers that's filled with Maori characters and culture. Hine and the Tohunga Portal leads the two tamariki Maori main characters, Hine and Hohepa, into a world where moa and giant eagles still roam the forests but it's under threat from an evil sorcerer. Hine and the Tohunga Portal by Ataria Sharman is published by Huia.