We are thrilled to welcome 100 new Pasifika dual language books to the Pacific Collection in the Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library. The stories are in “flip book” format: Tongan, Samoan, Tokelauan, Cook Island Māori or Niuean in one direction, and English in the other when flipped over.

The resources have been especially designed to support the early language and literacy learning of Pasifika new entrant students in English-medium classrooms. To guide families and schools in how to best use the resources, there is also accompanying teacher and parent support material, in both hard copy and online.

The Beehive press release provides further detail about this initiative, which is a result of collaboration between Ministry of Education, University of Auckland literacy academics and the Ministry of Pacific Peoples.

Teachers and parents can also access these resources online from the Ministry of Education. Schools can order print copies free of charge from Down the Back of the Chair.