New Zealand Writers
GABEL, Ngareta
passionate about children’s acquisition of te reo Maori
GABEL, Ngareta (1975- ) is a children's writer.
Gabel was born in Auckland, and is from the hapu Te Paatu and Ngati Tara of the Ngati Kahu tribe.
Gabel writes stories for children in Maori. 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, was a finalist in the Picturebook Category of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2004.
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 writes 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 Book Council Writers in Schools Programme.
(LK)
Writers in Schools Information
Prepared to discuss: The importance of te reo Maori; the importance of education; and following your dreams. Gabel is a fluent speaker of te reo Maori and will read in either te reo Maori or English. Available to talk with primary school children.
Related Links
