Beneath a range of mountains lies the rural town of Waitapu. Here, sisters Ruby and Rowena reconnect, Mereata feels her tīpuna like a breath on the back of her neck and Harriet goes missing from the rest home.

With a cast of lively characters, this collection of 18 short stories cracks open the image of rural tranquillity, to reveal the heartbreak and kindness of everyday lives.

Finalist, Ngā Kupu Ora Awards, 2016

Helen Waaka was the winner of the 2011 Pikihuia Award for Best Short Story Written in English. With this collection she asserts herself as a perceptive and compelling story teller.

Read about Helen Waaka

Read excerpt here

ISBN: 978-0-9941186-1-5

Sales

For sales, please contact the author by emailing helen.waaka@xtra.co.nz

Also available from Amazon and Kobo

Media for Waitapu

‘Real, authentic, close to the bone. These stories make for great reading — I love them.’
– Reina Whaitiri, judge for the Pikihuia Awards in 2011 and 2013.

‘I feel like someone has finally got what small towns in Aotearoa are about.’
– Renee, award-winning writer and mentor.

takahē Review (Dec 2018)
Landfall Review Online Review (Feb 2018)
Q & A on NZSA Article (Mar 2017)
Going West Readers and Writers Festival Review (Sep 2016)
Nga Kupu Ora Book Awards Finalist (Sep 2016)
NZ Books Review (July 2016)
Kai Tiaki Magazine Article (June 2016)
Mana Magazine Review (May 2016)
PlainsFM Radio Interview (Feb 2016)
Bay Buzz Review (Jan/Feb 2016)
New Zealand Listener Review (Dec 2015)
Hastings District Library Review (Dec 2015)
Napier Courier Article (Dec 2015)
Booknotes Unbound A Favourite book of 2015 (Dec 2015)
Standing Room Only Radio NZ Interview (Nov 2015)
FishHead Review
Nielsen Weekly Bestsellers List (Oct 2015)
Central Hawkes Bay Mail Article (Oct 2015)
Book Launch  Speech by Renee (Oct 2015)