Description: ‘When we’re young, we learn the stories of others. When we’re adults, we create our own story. When we’re old, we tell our story.’
From the beginning, Tainui Stephens has been finding stories. In people, in place, and in the shifting shape of Māori life in Aotearoa. And through a career in filmmaking, broadcasting and cultural advocacy, he has been finding himself. Kua Tau gathers up a kete of his best writing on these subjects, drawing from his much-loved essays for the online magazine E-Tangata.
From the turbulence of the 1970s and 1980s to the powerful iwi Māori of today, Stephens writes about the people who shaped him. Kaumātua of the old world. Marae aunties. Rangatahi finding their place. Activists, artists, whānau and friends. The essays travel through reo and tikanga, identity, leadership, racism, grief and joy.
Warm, direct and deeply grounded, this is writing from a superb storyteller, and a book about the stories that make us whole.
Materials: Soft cover
Cover Art: Darcy Nicholas
Pages: 338
Language: English
Published: September 2026
ISBN: 9781991301819
Brand
Tainui Stephens
Tainui Stephens is an independent film and television producer, director,
executive producer, writer, presenter, voice artist and author for E-tangata.
Tainui started his working life in 1980 as an investigating officer for the Office Of The Race Relations Conciliator. He commenced his broadcasting career with Television New Zealand in 1984. As a director, producer and executive producer, he was responsible for over 500 hours of programming, working across a wide range of genres and content.
As a long-time advocate and practitioner of Māori language broadcasting, Tainui is committed to helping ensure Māori storytelling has a permanent presence across all modern media.
Kua Tau, A life in Stories – Book
$50.00
92 in stock
Description
Title: Kua Tau – A Life in Stories
Author: Tainui Stephens
Iwi: Te Rarawa
Description:
‘When we’re young, we learn the stories of others.
When we’re adults, we create our own story.
When we’re old, we tell our story.’
From the beginning, Tainui Stephens has been finding stories. In people, in place, and in the shifting shape of Māori life in Aotearoa. And through a career in filmmaking, broadcasting and cultural advocacy, he has been finding himself. Kua Tau gathers up a kete of his best writing on these subjects, drawing from his much-loved essays for the online magazine E-Tangata.
From the turbulence of the 1970s and 1980s to the powerful iwi Māori of today, Stephens writes about the people who shaped him. Kaumātua of the old world. Marae aunties. Rangatahi finding their place. Activists, artists, whānau and friends. The essays travel through reo and tikanga, identity, leadership, racism, grief and joy.
Warm, direct and deeply grounded, this is writing from a superb storyteller, and a book about the stories that make us whole.
Materials: Soft cover
Cover Art: Darcy Nicholas
Pages: 338
Language: English
Published: September 2026
ISBN: 9781991301819
Brand
Tainui Stephens
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