W mō Wahine Toa / W is for Wahine Toa

'W mō Wahine Toa' is a wonderful, vibrant, and uplifting introduction to the Māori alphabet. It begins with an accessible pronunciation guide, including the extended vowel sounds of macrons. From there, you are immersed in an empowering te ao Māori realm. Māori and English are laid out side by side, each page focusing on a specific letter and word, accompanied by a relevant whakataukī. On the opposite page, stunning, detailed images of wāhine toa of all ages visually encapsulate the essence of each whakataukī. Reading it for the first time after a long, hard day of mahi, the opening passage, on aumangea (determination), deeply resonated with me. Upon reading a second time, a different passage spoke to me, forcing me to pause, reflect, and feel grateful for what matters most.

While it can easily be read in one sitting, this is a book made to be returned to again and again. It beautifully allows readers to learn the Māori alphabet, connect with whakataukī, practice their te reo, and find deep inspiration all at once. This has become one of my favourites of 2026.