Hine Toa

An incredible memoir by a trailblazing voice in women’s, queer and Maori liberation movements


‘Remarkable. At once heartbreaking and triumphant.’ Patricia Grace

In the 1950s, a young Ngahuia is fostered into a family who believe in hard work and community. Although close to her kuia, she craves more: she wants higher education and refined living. But whanau dismiss her dreams. To them she is just a show-off, always getting into trouble, talking back, experimenting in sexual trespass and running away.

In this fiery and inspiring memoir, Ngahuia te Awekotuku describes what was possible for a restless working-class girl from the pa. After moving to Auckland for university, Ngahuia meets her people among the creatives and outliers. She advocates resistance as a founding member of Nga Tamatoa and the Women’s and Gay Liberation movements, becoming a critical voice in protests from Waitangi to the streets of Wellington.

Hine Toa is an extraordinary memoir about identity and belonging: the story of a girl who grew up with the odds stacked against her but who had the resilience and courage to carve a path of her own.

‘Extraordinary, vivid, riveting. I learned, I laughed and I wept over this book.’ Fiona Kidman

‘Beautifully written and fiercely honest.’ Deborah Challinor

‘Delightful, clever, naughty, sensuous. This timely coming of age memoir by an iconic activist will rouse the rebel in us all. I loved it.’ Tina Makereti

Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Imprint: HarperCollins NZ
Publication date: 17/04/2024