A book about high achieving Samoans has been launched with the hope that it will inspire Pasifika youth to aim for greatness.
'Samoan Heroes' book by David Riley Photo: Supplied
'Samoan Heroes' is a collection of stories which includes contemporary figures like Tana Umaga, David Tua, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and neuroscientist Associate Professor Donna Rose Addis as well as historical figures, and myths and legends.
Leilani Momoisea was at the book launch at the Tupu Library in the Auckland suburb of Otara.
The first Pasifika woman to become a New Zealand Member of Parliament, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban Photo: Supplied
Samoan Boxing star, David Tua Photo: Supplied
'Samoan Heroes' by David Riley. Photo: RNZI
Tangaroa College students Lisi Tuifua, Carterina Kareroa Tusini and Lino Abraham at the book launch of 'Samoan Heroes'. Photo: RNZI
Neuroscientist, Associate Professor Donna Rose Addis Photo: Supplied
The author of 'Samoan Heroes', David Riley, says he wrote the book to provide Pasifika teenagers reading material about things that they're interested in, and can relate to from their own background.
The author of 'Samoan Heroes', David Riley, and illustrator, Michel Mulipola Photo: RNZI
He says while there's a lot of literature aimed at young children or university level, it's difficult to find much for Pacific teenagers.
He says he hopes reading the book will inspire them to achieve great things in their own lives.
DAVID RILEY: This will just encourage them, reading people like them, that look like them, same colour as them, same backgrounds as them, who are doing world class things. And they will come to see reading, for those who don't read much, they will come to see reading as fun and as something they can do well, if they find the right reading material.
David Riley is also a teacher at Tangaroa College, and a number of students were at the book launch to support him.
Year 12 student Laryia Lomitusi says Mr Riley's writing is helping her, and others in her generation, better understand where they came from.
LARYIA LOMITUSI: For some of us, we don't even know our ancestors and stuff. For him telling the story, he's a palagi man, but it's really good to see that our culture is appreciated nowadays, and helping us understand our ancestors and our roots and our legends.
Student Lisi Tuifua says while he knew about people like 'The Rock' being Samoan, he wasn't aware how many other famous Samoans there were.
LISI TUIFUA: 'Samoan Heroes', that caught my attention. I don't like books, but this book is just really good. Yeah, the title. It's the first time I get to read a book about my own country, and I feel proud about it.
The illustrator of the book, Michel Mulipola says as a New Zealand born Samoan, he grew up around Samoan culture within his family.
But he says there's a lot in the book that he didn't know, because Samoan history wasn't taught in schools.
MICHEL MULIPOLA: To have this kind of resource is a great thing because myself and kids, get to learn about our stories, you know. Our creation myths, the fire myths, we have our own. So working on this book allowed me the opportunity to not only visualise it and work on it, and draw pictures for it, but also to learn about it in the process. Like drawing Mafui'e, the God of Fire, it was a lot of fun for me to work on trying to visualise that.
Pacific historian Damon Salesa, who was the first Pasifika person to win a Rhodes Scholarship, is featured in the book, and says it's important to have a range of stories about Pacific achievement.
Pacific Historian Damon Salesa Photo: Supplied
DAMON SALESA: It's great that we're successful in sport and creative arts, but the range of success that our Pacific people have in media and academics and politics, is a really nice thing to put before children.
Tongan student Sisilia Fakalata says she's been talking to Mr Riley to make sure his next book is about achievers from Tonga.
SISILIA FAKALATA: I'm looking forward to his next book because I really do want to see that people of my culture can accomplish stuff that I can't even think of, or imagine. I want to be inspired, and that's what Sir [Mr Riley] is aiming to do.
David Riley's previous books include 'We Are The Rock', a collection of inspirational profiles of Niueans, and books about sports stars Sonny Bill Williams, Steven Adams and Benji Marshall.
Internationally acclaimed chef, Michael Meredith Photo: Supplied
