Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (1988– ) earned a bachelor’s degree (hons) in graphic design and illustration from Massey University in 2015 and a Diploma in Visual Arts from the Universal College of Arts in 2012.

Her illustration work on Santa’s Worst Christmas (2019), published by Huia, was nominated for the New Zealand Children and Young Adult Book Awards across five categories. Her book Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep (2020), written by Victoria Cleal and published by Te Papa Press, won a Whitley award for Best Children’s Book.

Isobel illustrated Witi Ihimaera's novel Te Kōkōrangi/The Astromancer (2022), as well as The Maori Picture Dictionary/Te Papakupu Whakaahua by Margaret Sinclair and Ross Calman (2022).

In 2024, Isobel wrote and illustrated My Matariki Colouring and Activity Book (Scholastic NZ), which includes a range of activities, puzzles, and, of course, colouring-in pages. Interspersed with te reo, it's a lovely companion of Matariki Around the World by Miriama Kamo and Rangi Matamua, which was also illustrated by Isobel. 

The following year, she wrote and illustrated another book, Whenua: Maori Purakau of Aotearoa (2025), which was published through Little Moa imprint of Hachette Aotearoa NZ. Described as an "instant classic" at the 2026 NZCYA Book Awards, Whenua explores eleven tales of Aotearoa's history and Māori legendary figures. Whenua was a finalist for the NZCYA's Best Illustrated Book and the winner of the Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction in 2026.

Much of Isobel’s work incorporates plant life native to Aotearoa and explores themes such as mana wahine, kaitiakitanga, te taiao, and ancestral healing. She works in a variety of media – including ink, watercolour, acrylic, oil, and gold leaf. Beyond children’s book illustration, her services include graphic design, editorial, and community mural work.