Written in te reo Māori and translated by the author, Rere Atu Taku Poi! is a beautifully illustrated story about gender fluidity in a school setting.
Rangi loves doing haka but performing poi is his favourite — even though his classmates say it’s just for girls. When the lead poi performer falls sick before a school performance, Rangi has to take her place.
How will the other students and audience react – ‘Surely a boy can’t lead the poi?’
As Rangi steps on stage, the familiar movements of poi take him from scared and unsure to standing as his authentic self.