Back before alarm clocks startled people awake to greet the morning, noisy roosters performed that daily duty. Today, the persistent crowing of the roosters still continues in the early mornings.

“Ko Tamaiva e te toa moa” is the new children’s Māori book about a young boy, Tamaiva, who becomes frustrated by a rooster crowing next to his window.

The book is written by Eileen Takiika Tairi, an avid reader and impassioned advocate for Māori language and culture. Tairi has been writing short stories in Māori for two years, and she loves writing stories relating to the typical way of island life.

“I’ve had two years of dreaming about these books ... and now it’s come true, my very own book for our children to read in Māori,” she said.

Tairi raised her children speaking Māori and teaching them about culture. She is proud of her four sons: Sam Pera Jr, Sirla Barcelona Pera, Zerubabela Pera, and Kaienua Pera, and her 10 grandchildren.

“I encourage my kids to keep speaking Māori, and I want my grandchildren to learn and know their language and culture too,” says Tairi. “I want these books to help our children read, learn, and speak Māori.”

Her talented grandson, Tamaiva Putuaariki Pera, illustrated her book last year at the age of nine. The book also features an information kit at the back with a list of Māori vowels, the months of the year, a map, and the lyrics to the Cook Islands national anthem.

Passionate about strengthening and protecting Māori culture, Tairi also assists with the Atui’anga ki te Tango school holiday programme delivered by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Kōrero O Te `Ōrau and Te Manava Ora o te Ivi Māori (Manava Ora), a cultural art performing group.

Tairi still teaches reo Māori to a young student, Avaiki Williams. “He was so keen to learn more about our culture in the holiday programme, so I asked his mother if I could continue to tutor him,” she said.

“Ko Tamaiva e te toa moa” is selling now at the Bounty Bookshop for $14. The book can also be purchased at Maya Maurangi’s stall on the inner seas side of the Punanga Nui Market on Saturdays.