Ngareta Gabel
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gabel, Ngareta (1975 -) is a children's writer.
Gabel was born in Auckland and is from the hapu Te Paatu and Ngāti Tara of the Ngāti Kahu tribe.
Gabel writes stories for children in Māori. 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 Maori.
Ngareta Gabel lives in Hamilton and participates in the Writers in Schools programme.
WRITERS IN SCHOOLS INFORMATION
Gabel 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.
LINKS
- Interview with Christchurch City Libraries