Arohanui - My Aotearoa New Zealand

'Arohanui – My Aotearoa New Zealand' brings together the voices of more than 100 contributors who reflect on what this place means to them—its beauty, its challenges, and its evolving identity.

As a teacher, I found the range of perspectives one of the book’s greatest strengths. Well-known figures such as Sam Neill and Miriama Kamo sit alongside less familiar New Zealanders, creating an authentic cross-section of voices that students can easily connect with. The short reflections invite discussion rather than provide definitive answers, making the book a useful springboard for classroom conversations about identity, belonging, and social responsibility.

The design is visually appealing: each contribution is paired with a portrait, which adds warmth and immediacy. However, the portrait format sometimes results in brief, surface-level insights; a little more editorial framing or thematic grouping could have strengthened the cohesion. The physical book is sturdy, well-produced, and approachable in size, making it practical for shared reading or small-group work. It aligns well with other contemporary resources exploring the cultural landscape of Aotearoa.

Overall, this is a thoughtful, accessible collection that would particularly appeal to teachers, senior students, and readers interested in diverse viewpoints of Aotearoa. It offers rich prompts for inquiry and encourages readers to consider their own answer to the question at its heart: What does it mean to be a New Zealander?