Porirua College

19,164 pages read and 847 team points

Team members

Vitoria A

2,056 pts

(1,351 pages read)

Beegee: The Bryan Williams Story

By Bob Howitt

4 stars

A biography of Sir Bryan 'Beegee' Williams, one of the first All Blacks of Pacific Island heritage (Samoan/Rarotongan). A talented rugby player who became an All Black at 19 years of age. Williams debuted for the ABs on the 1970 Tour of South Africa where he was granted "honorary white" status along with three Maori players - Sid Going, Blair Furlong and Henare Milner which allowed them to play in South Africa. As an educator, I enjoyed reading about Williams' activities on the 1972 tour of Britain and France. He was studying law at the time and made arrangements to sit his exams in London, Swansea and Cambridge while he was on tour. He was so dedicated to his studies that he packed his law books to take on the tour so that he could study for his exams and studied in the bathroom of his shared hotel room so that he didn't disturb his room mates while they slept. He even missed the AB's bus because of one of his exams. He successfully completed his exams at Cambridge University and was then able to ship his books back to New Zealand and turn his full attention to rugby. It was also interesting to learn that he received a daily allowance of $1.50 while on tour. The book provides details of the tours and matches of the 1970s that Williams featured in. A great book to read if you are interested in New Zealand rugby and what it was like to be an All Black in the amateur era.
On Call

By Ineke Meredith

4 stars
The Reading Tribe

By David Riley

5 stars

"Reading is one of the most free and magical ways to enhance your life." Award-winning writer, actor and director Oscar Kightley sums up the benefits of reading in this book which was written to inspire young people to pick up a book and read in a world dominated by phones and digital content. David Riley interviews over twenty prominent Kiwis to find out about how important reading has been in their lives. An interesting book which provides insight into the way books have shaped the lives of Kiwis in the spotlight.
An explanation of poetry to my father

By Glenn Colquhoun

3 stars

A collection of poems by South Auckland-born GP Glenn Colquhoun to explain poetry to his father who was a builder. The poem that best does this is 'The word as a tool' which begins with 'Language is as full of tools as the inside of a hardware store.' His poems use language as tools to paint, draw and build an understanding of the power of the written word to explore the world. A beautiful collection which encourages the reader to pause and reflect on what poetry really means.
Shaping Pacific Place in Aotearoa New Zealand

By Edited by Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop & Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop

5 stars

A collection of the personal stories of twenty Pasifika people from a range of backgrounds who share values of alofa and service to their family and communities in New Zealand. These stories detail not only their successes but their grit, determination and resilience to face and overcome the challenges of systemic racism and adversity. An interesting read for anyone who wants to learn about the history of Pacific people in Aotearoa.
Dream Fish Floating

By Karlo Mila

4 stars

Rereading Karlo Mila's first collection of poetry which explores family, friends and identity. If you like poetry with raw and unapologetic language then this is the book for you!
Ou te alofa i lo'u aiga

By Deborah and Lilo Oka Sanerivi

3 stars

A simple bilingual story of the love of family.
Afakasi Woman

By Lani Wendt Young

4 stars

A collection of short stories sharing experiences of life in Samoa from an afakasi lens. Stories that lift the veil on life in Samoa and uncovers what life is really like in Samoa for Samoans and Afakasi Samoans. A great read!
Teacher Man

By Frank McCourt

5 stars

I have just started this book but will update the number of pages as I go. McCourt's writing makes reading a joy. Chapter one focuses on his first day as a teacher at McKee Vocational and Technical High School and how he almost got fired over eating a student's sandwich. School lunches anyone? This book also tells the story of how he went from being a classroom teacher to a writer.
The Elocutionist. O le Tulafale

By Malotumau Alesana Eteuati Le'iato

5 stars

An excellent book and resource for Samoans living outside of Samoa. This book explains the origins and meanings of Samoan proverbs, traditional speeches and ceremonies e.g 'Ava ceremony.
Under the Whispering Door

By TJ Klune

4 stars

A moving and uplifting story of self-discovery and having a second chance at life even after death. An interesting opening chapter with the last sentence a reminder to us to take stock and to make the most of our lives before it is too late.

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Porirua College

19,164 pages read and 847 team points

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