Te Ara Hohou Rongo



Te Ara Hohou Rongo
A bilingual graphic novel that brings to life a difficult history and the journey towards reconciliation. Presented in both te reo Maori and English, this pukapuka chronicles the story of Ngati Te Whiti with St. Mary's Anglican Church in Ngamotu/New Plymouth from the 1830s until the present day. It is a korero of conflict, displacement, raupatu, determination, and creative recovery, with the eventual construction of Te Whare Hononga next to the church at Pukaka. The message is honest, calling out injustice without losing hold of hope, inviting deep reflection, and sparking vital conversations. Through vivid storytelling and striking illustrations, the book captures the courage, mamae, and hope of a community on a path to healing. Every page is thoughtfully crafted with deep meaning and invites readers of all ages to build bridges of reconciliation.
This beautiful, bilingual comic book presents the history of Mere Tapu - St Mary’s, and its relationship with Māori, as told by mana whenua Ngāti the Whiti hapū. It’s a miniature version of the story of Aotearoa, told in a graphic novel style for young and old to engage in a new way.
Full colour, 80pp, soft cover