A favourite local character, the little kiwi, returns next month in local author Nikki Slade Robinson’s latest children’s publication, Weka’s Waiata and shares wisdom about the importance of whanau (family) and aroha (love).  Fans young and old are invited to the official launch day, right here in New Zealand’s Kiwi capital - Whakatāne!

The release of Weka’s Waiata follows on from the success of Nikki’s 2016 award-winning picture book, ‘The little Kiwi’s Matariki’. Opening with a special book reading of Weka’s Waiata, this free community event will start at 10.30am, Sunday 8 April, at Te Kōputu a Te Whanga a Toi - the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre.

“In this new book, the little Kiwi knows how precious grandparents and whānau are to our lives, so helps five weka chicks show how big their aroha is, when their grandparents come to visit,” Nikki explains.  “This is story about aroha and appreciation, set against a backdrop of native forest and coastline reminiscent of the Eastern Bay of Plenty.”

Kids craft activities, including ‘how to draw a weka’ and a colouring competition, will follow the main event – and provide an opportunity to win copy of Weka’s Waiata. Colouring competition entry-forms will be available from Te Kōputu and Whakatāne’s Paper Plus on The Strand, from Sunday, 8 April.

“On the day, children will enjoy the first reading of Weka’s Waiata, and create a surprise gift to give to someone special in their life” she says “to show how much they mean to you – which is a key message in the book,” Nikki says.

Community members are invited to come along on the launch day to meet author-illustrator Nikki Slade Robinson. The book will be available for sale at the event (note - cash sales only), and Nikki will be happy to sign a copy for buyers. Weka’s Waiata will then be on sale at Whakatāne Paper Plus, Opotiki Paper Plus, all good booksellers nationwide, and online.