Kaupapa

I started writing for publication because I wanted our kids to see themselves in books. At the time, we couldn't find books by or about Tongan people. As far as books were concerned, kids like ours (and families like ours) just didn't exist.

So, in 1997, I started writing about things that are normal for our fāmili. Even now, much of my writing includes at least one character from a Tongan-Pālangi fāmili like ours.

There are lots of ways to be Kiwi in Aotearoa, so we need lots of stories, from lots of points of view. The more we share our stories, the more we understand each other, so why not write your own?

Fun Facts

I wrote my first 'novel' on a mighty pad, when I was 10. It was a fast-paced, over-the-top action story about a teenage detective called Natalie King.

I hate sport!

As a child, I kept a creativity folder, with sections for my stories, poetry, art and fashion designs.

I once rode into the back of a trailer because I was reading on my bike. Please don't try this at home!

I have my hip bone in my finger.

I was born and grew up in Te Waipounamu, the South Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Now, I live in Te Ika-a-Māui, the North Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

I can talk faster than most people can listen.

I love Brussels sprouts!

I wore men's sneakers to my wedding.

As a teenager, I was a skateboarder.

I love maths!

I have been part of a Tongan-Pālangi fāmili for most of my life.

I have nearly 60 first cousins!

Awards/Recognition

2025 Convenor of Judges, New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults

2024 Otago University College of Education Creative New Zealand Children's Writer in Residence Fellow

2024 NZ Children and Young Adult Book Awards finalist, Junior Fiction category – Lopini the Legend (mid-grade fiction novel)

2024 Storylines Most Notable Book – Lopini the Legend (mid-grade fiction novel)

2024 NZ Booklovers Awards finalist, Junior Fiction category – Lopini the Legend (mid-grade fiction novel)

2023 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults judge

2022 Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award – Lopini the Legend (mid-grade fiction novel)

2022 Massey University Writer in Residence

2021 Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne Essay Prize, 3rd place – Ko Au Te Whenua, Ko Te Whenua, Ko Au – From Camping to Colonisation with Rita Angus, 2021, Headland (creative non-fiction for adults)

2012 Storylines Most Notable Book – Lest We Forget, 2011, Scholastic (picture book)

2012 NZ Children and Young Adult Book Award, Te Kura Pounamu Finalist– Kei Wareware Tātou, Scholastic (picture book)

2009 Storylines Most Notable Book – Freaky Fish, 2008, Penguin (junior novel)

2008 NZ Post Book Award, finalist – What is a Fish?, 2008, Scholastic (non-fiction)

2008 LIANZA Elsie Locke Award, finalist – What is a…? series (5 books), 2008, Scholastic (non-fiction)

2008 Storylines Most Notable Book – What is a Bird?, 2008, Scholastic (non-fiction)

2008 Storylines Most Notable Book – What is a Reptile?, 2008, Scholastic (non-fiction)

2008 Storylines Most Notable Book – What is an Amphibian?, 2008, Scholastic (non-fiction)

2008 Storylines Most Notable Book – What is a Fish?, 2008, Scholastic (non-fiction)

2008 Storylines Most Notable Book – What is a Mammal?, 2008, Scholastic (non-fiction)

Media/Links

2024

Tongan-Pālangi stories started with a mum wanting her kids to see themselves reflected in print (Radio NZ)

Authors to bring 'books alive' (Otago Daily Times)

Uni arts fellows describe pursuits at roundtable (Otago Daily Times)

Meet the Fellows 2024 (Otago University YouTube)

Seven NZ Authors on why you're never too old for kids' books (NZ Listener Online)

How do we get kids reading again? Experts say books that represent them (Te Ao Māori News)

NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2024 finalists announced (Books + Publishing)

A Day in the Life of Feana Tu'akoi (The Sapling)

Feana Tu'akoi - Author Profile (Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand)

Feana Tu'akoi - Writer's File (Read NZ Te Pou Murmur)

2023

Burns Fellow and Otago College of Ed Writer in Residence announced (NZ Society of Authors)

The University of Otago College of Ed CNZ Children's Writer in Residence (Otago University)

Interview: Feana Tu'akoi talks about Lopini the Legend (NZ Booklovers)

Voices of the Pacific captures stories and poems from 14 Palmerston North students (Mānawatu Guardian)

2022

Feana Tu'akoi is putting stories of bicultural families on the page (Mānawatu Standard)

Le'o 'o e Pasifiki - Voices of the Pacific, Feana Tu'akoi - facilitator, publisher and editor (Massey University)

Feana Tu'akoi is Palmerston North's first visiting artist for 2022 (NZ Herald)

Feana Tu'akoi, writer (Square Edge Community Arts)

Feana Tu'akoi announced as first 2022 Visiting Artist (Massey University)

2021

Feana Tu'akoi - Ko Au Te Whenua, Ko Te Whenua, Ko Au: From Camping to Colonisation with Rita Angus (Headland)

Feana Tu'akoi - Hayes Paddock Hipsters (Turbine/Kapohau - a NZ journal of new writing)

2018

Between the Lines exhibition of Waikato writers and illustrators (NZ Society of Authors)

Feana Tu'akoi (Between the Lines)

2016

Children's war books reviewed by children's author, Philippa Werry (Children's War Books Blogspot)

2014

The Treasury Interviews: Grace interviews Feana Tu'akoi (Poetry Box)

2012

Guest Post: Feana Tu'akoi on Lest We Forget (My Best Friends Are Books)