Tama & the Taniwha
About the Book
Tama & the Taniwha began as a story for tamariki and whānau, but somewhere along the way it became a story for me too.
It carries lessons I wish I’d heard when I was younger. About courage, wairua, and facing what’s in front of you, even when it’s hard. The taniwha isn’t only a guardian. It reminds us that bravery and uncertainty often walk together, and that growth doesn’t always feel comfortable.
Since its first release in November 2025, over 600 copies have made their way into homes across Aotearoa and Australia. I’ve heard from mums, nannies, and whānau reading it to their kids and mokopuna at bedtime, in classrooms, and during quiet moments together.
Many shared that it opened up gentle conversations about fear, big feelings, and finding courage. Some said it helped their tamariki feel seen. Others told me it became a go-to bedtime story, one their kids asked for again and again, not just for the pictures, but for how it made them feel safe and understood.
Those moments are what this story was always for.
Each page holds a heartbeat. It’s for the tamariki who dream big, and for the parents and caregivers who still remember what that feels like. It’s about connection between people, place, and memory, and remembering that our stories still have power.
Every story begins somewhere.
For Tama, it begins with a storm, a forest, and a feeling that something is waiting for him.
This is a story about trust and growth, about finding calm in moments of change, and learning to listen to what’s around you and what’s within you.
Tama & the Taniwha is one to read together, to talk about, and to remember when life feels a little bigger than you expected.
Inside the Story
"He squinted through the spray.
At first he saw only mist and shadow.
“Who’s there?” Tama called, his voice small under the roar of the waterfall.
Then he saw them.
Two eyes, glowing steady through the water.
Their gaze was calm.
A shape moved behind the falls,
scales shining like greenstone."
Pre-Order Your Copy
Supporters Edition (Paperback)
$34.50 NZD (inc GST)
Afterpay available
Shipping calculated at checkout
Pre-orders are now open.
Order between Saturday 10 January 2026 and Saturday 24 January 2026 to be part of the next paperback print run.
All pre-orders will be printed after orders close and are expected to be packed and shipped in February 2026.
You’ll receive tracking details by email once your order is on the way.
What you’ll receive
1 × Tama and the Taniwha – Paperback Edition
- Perfect-bound paperback (library-style binding), the same quality as books found in bookshops and libraries
- Full colour throughout
- 40 pages, A4 portrait format
- Durable 150gsm satin interior pages
- Thick 300gsm cover with gloss laminate
- Designed for everyday reading and long-term care
- Printed and packed in Aotearoa New Zealand
This paperback edition reflects feedback from the original release and is designed to be read, shared, and kept.
Order details
- Order limit: Up to 3 physical books per order
- Orders are now packed securely in rigid cardboard book mailer boxes
- Tracked shipping within Aotearoa and Australia
For bulk, kura, or school orders (5 or more copies), please email
callum@moemoeamedialab.com to arrange combined shipping or wholesale pricing.
Paperback pre-orders open now. Pre-orders close 24 January. Shipping February 2026.
Collector’s Edition: Signed Upgrade & Digital Pack
Signed Upgrade & Digital Pack
$30 NZD Upgrade (inc GST)
Collector’s Edition Add-On
Add this once to upgrade your entire order.
This is an upgrade, not a standalone purchase.
You’ll need to purchase the Supporter’s Edition (Paperback) first, then add this upgrade at checkout.
What the Collector’s Edition includes
When you upgrade:
- Each physical book in your order will be personally signed by Callum
- Your name will appear in the acknowledgements section of Book Two of
Tama and the Taniwha: Into the Mist, due for release in March 2026
You’ll also receive a digital collector’s pack, delivered to your email:
- Digital edition of Tama & the Taniwha (PDF format)
- 5 high-resolution Tama & the Taniwha digital art files, ready to print for your whare or workspace
- 5 Tama & the Taniwha colouring pages to print and share with tamariki
Delivery details
- Signed physical books are shipped together with tracking
- Digital files (including the digital book) are delivered via email
- If your order includes multiple books, all copies will be signed
Bulk & kura orders
For bulk, kura, or school orders (5 or more copies), please email
callum@moemoeamedialab.com to arrange combined shipping or wholesale pricing.
Gift a Book to a Kura
The story continues in the hands of our tamariki.
$25.00 NZD (inc GST)
No shipping required.
This book will be gifted directly to a kura or community space. I’ll take care of delivery.
About this kaupapa
We’re making sure Māori stories reach our tamariki not just online, but in classrooms, kura, and libraries across Aotearoa.
Through this kaupapa, whānau can help place Tama & the Taniwha directly into learning spaces where it can be read, shared, and returned to again and again.
How it works
- Each Gift a Book to a Kura adds one paperback copy of
Tama and the Taniwha
to our gifting pool - These gifted copies will be combined with previously supported books
- Once we reach 200 gifted copies, distribution will begin
- Books will be delivered to kura, libraries, and community spaces from March
Our goal
- The first 100 gifted copies are already accounted for
- Together, our goal is to gift 500 copies to tamariki across the motu
You can support this kaupapa by adding a gifted copy for a kura or library when you pre-order your own book at checkout.
Why this matters
Every gifted book helps another tamaiti see themselves in our stories, their feelings reflected, and their world valued.
The journey continues...
Tama & the Taniwha is only the beginning.
This kaupapa is about creating a space for Māori storytelling, art, and imagination to grow.
From books to worlds, and ideas to screens.
Through Moemoeā Press, we’re building a home for stories that reflect our whakapapa, our whenua, and the way we see the world.
Every book helps bring the next one to life. Your support keeps these stories moving and makes it possible to dream bigger for our tamariki and the generations to come.
Watch the video above to see what’s next.
Frequently asked questions
When will my book arrive?
This is a pre-order for the paperback edition of Tama & the Taniwha.
Pre-orders open Saturday 10 January 2026 and close Saturday 24 January 2026.
Books will be printed after pre-orders close and are expected to be packed and shipped in February 2026.
Once your order ships, you’ll receive tracking details by email.
Can I order from overseas?
At this stage, we ship to Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia with tracked shipping.
If you’re outside these regions or looking to place a larger international order, please email
callum@moemoeamedialab.com and we’ll see what’s possible.
Is this book suitable for all ages?
Tama & the Taniwha is written primarily for tamariki, but it’s designed to be shared across generations.
Parents, caregivers, and educators often share that the story resonates just as strongly with rangatahi and adults, especially through its themes of feelings, guidance, and connection.
Can schools or libraries order copies?
Yes.
For kura, schools, libraries, or bulk orders of 5 or more copies, please email
callum@moemoeamedialab.com to arrange combined shipping or wholesale pricing.
We also run a Gift a Book to a Kura kaupapa to help place books directly into learning spaces across Aotearoa.
How much is shipping?
All orders are securely packed in rigid book mailer boxes and sent with tracking.
Aotearoa New Zealand
- $12 flat rate per order
- Rural addresses add $5.70
Australia
- $25 flat rate per order
Shipping costs are shown clearly at checkout.