Ngāreta Gabel

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gabel, Ngāreta (1975 -) is a children's writer. Born in Tāmaki Makaurau, from the hapū Te Paatu and Ngāti Tara of the Ngāti Kahu iwi, Ngāreta Gabel writes stories for children in Māori. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Māori with first-class honours from the University of Waikato, and a teaching diploma from the Wellington College of Education which she earned remotely while living in Te Tai Tokerau.

In 2003 she published her first book Tekiteora, kei hea o hu? The book was later published in English as Oh Hogwash, Sweet Pea! (2003). Tekiteora, kei hea o hu won LIANZA's Te Kura Pounamu Award 2003. Oh Hogwash, Sweet Pea! won the Children's Choice Award and was a finalist in the picture book category at the 2004 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, in addition to being listed as a 2004 Storylines Notable Picture Book.

The judges' report from the Te Kura Pounamu Awards comments that the 'story is excellent; hilarious and easy to read with a message that all readers can relate to.'

Gabel herself says that her writing is informed by her passion for children, both in terms of reading and the acquisition of te reo Māori.

Ngāreta Gabel lives in Hamilton and participates in the Writers in Schools programme. She is able to visit to discuss with students the importance of te reo Māori; the importance of education; and following your dreams and is best suited to preschool and primary-aged students. Gabel is a fluent speaker of te reo Māori and will read in either te reo Māori or English. She is able to go to Kohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Māori and conduct workshops and readings. She is prepared to do workshops in writing in Te Reo Māori, by prior arrangement.