The Bone Tree, by Airana Ngarewa     –    interview RNZ Saturday Morning                                                                            

Airana Ngarewa left school to become a cage fighter. He hated English. Now a teacher, he’s being described as a major new literary talent. His first novel is The Bone Tree.

“The story is based in Taranaki about some boys born out of the city. Mum has disappeared and Dad has passed and they’re trying to navigate their way.

“One of the questions that sit at the heart of the story is what happens when systems that are meant to protect us, predate on us. For me, it’s about representing the reality, representing our stories and I’m certainly not one to tell anyone about what needs to happen, only what is happening right now.”

Born and raised in Patea, his aunts are Spotswood College principal Nicola Ngarewa, and Te Pāti Māori co-leader MP Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

Airana lives in New Plymouth and teaches at a secondary school, but his primary connections are to South Taranaki – Ngāti Ruanui, Ngārauru, Ngāruahine.                                                                                                         20/8/23

Photo: Airana Ngarewa

19 August 2023 RNZ Saturday Morning