Anahera
  • Published: 29 April 2025
  • ISBN: 9781776957378
  • Imprint: Picture Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $21.00

Anahera

The Mighty Kiwi Mama

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This is the inspiring true story of one big, fierce mama kiwi, two caring communities, three conscientious kiwi dads, over 60 thriving chicks, and a wild population restored after a 150-year gap! Written and illustrated for kids by award-winning author Ruth Paul, this visionary conservation project literally took place in her own back yard.

This is a true story about an endangered kiwi who has become famous around the world for her incredible success in producing more than 60 chicks!

When she was very young, Anahera - Angel - was rescued by forestry workers in Taranaki and brought to the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House in Waikato. Looked after by the staff there, she grew huge and strong and soon became the champion of their breeding programme - the māmā of over 60 chicks!

Years later, people from a very special conservation project, Capital Kiwi, visited Ōtorohanga with a bold proposal. Anahera was chosen as one of the kiwi to be released in the hills of the capital city.

After four decades of life in captivity, would the mighty māmā survive and thrive in the wild?
  • Published: 29 April 2025
  • ISBN: 9781776957378
  • Imprint: Picture Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $21.00
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About the author

Ruth Paul

Ruth Paul lives in an off-grid, straw-bale house on a farm just outside Wellington, New Zealand. As well as writing and illustrating children's picture books, Ruth has worked as a costume illustrator for Peter Jackson movies. She has two teenaged sons and is actively involved in her local community, having previously chaired her local Community Board and School Board of Trustees. Over the years, Ruth achieved a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English and History from Victoria University, a Diploma in Visual Communication Design from Wellington Polytech (now Massey University), and most of a law degree.
In 2019 she was awarded the Arts Foundation Mallinson Rendel Laureate Award, and in 2023 she was University of Otago College of Education Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer in Residence Fellow.


Ruth started writing and illustrating her own picture books in 2004, and has created over 15 titles. The King's Bubbles won the NZ Post Children's Choice picture book award in 2008, and three of her books have made the Storylines Notable Book list over the years. Stomp was a finalist in the NZ Post Book Awards 2012, and Bad Dog Flash was selected for the US Kid's Indie Next List in 2014. I Am Jellyfish, a literally luminous story with its glow-in-the-dark cover, won Best Picture Book at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in 2018. The judges were full of praise, noting that ‘The text and illustration perfectly complement each other in this humour-filled tale of small but mighty…This is a book for all the unsung small heroes and it will be giggled over and read again and again.’

In 2019, Ruth was made an Arts Foundation Laureate, receiving the Mallinson Rendel Illustration Award.

Ruth’s books have sold in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, the UK, China and Korea, with translations in five languages. Her original picture book illustrations have contributed to touring exhibitions for Painted Stories (previously Te Tai Tamariki Trust) and two are held in the prestigious Mazza Collection at the University of Findlay, Ohio. She says every new book is a challenge and presents the opportunity to get better at the craft she wholeheartedly loves.

portrait photo of Ruth Paul

Also by Ruth Paul

I Am Jellyfish
Little Hector and the Big Blue Whale
Little Hector and the Big Idea
Little Hector Meets Mini Maui
See all

Praise for Anahera

Anahera: The Mighty Kiwi Māmā is told with a touch of humour which children will love. And the lively text makes it a joy to read aloud. The beautiful illustrations really bring it to life... Using a child’s voice to tell Anahera’s story, showing her helping her kuia at Otorohanga Kiwi House and telling how Mākara Primary school students, who had also helped with the Capital Kiwi Project, got to meet Anahera, will bring home to children that they too could join in the conservation effort and be involved in community led projects. This is so important!

Lyn Potter, NZ Booklovers

When Ngāti Hinewai and the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House staff took Anahera and others of her brood to Mākara in support of the Capital Kiwi Project, Anahera was introduced to the children of Mākara School and I will never forget the awe and delight on their faces. Ruth Paul's wordsmithing coupled with her expert illustrations resonate with my recollections of the impact of involving the schoolchildren of Mākara in The Capital Kiwi project. The principles of kaitiakitanga, of manaaki whenua, of tiaki taiao which the mana whenua of Mākara – Taranaki Whānui, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Toa – have guarded through the ages, are safe in the hands of Capital Kiwi and the children and staff of Mākara Primary School, resounding further afield through Te Ūpoko-o-Te-Ika, the Wellington Region and beyond. This book offers a bird’s-eye view of conservation coupled with a child’s voice. I will enjoy sharing it with my grandchildren and exhort others to partake of its joy.

Professor Tom Roa, Tārewanga Marae, Ōtorohanga

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Anahera colouring-in

Colour in these free sheets of legendary kiwi mama, Anahera!