Lino Nelisi


Lino Nelisi is a Niuean-born New Zealand author and educator.

Biography

Nelisi was born in 1952 in Avatele, Niue. Her father Ugamea Levi was from Avatele, and mother, Peko, was Samoan.
Nelisi was the first Pacific Island student to graduate with a master's degree in education from the University of Auckland Epsom Campus.
Nelisi is a Niue language and culture expert. She began taught in Niue between 1970 and 1977, and in Auckland from the late 1980s.
Nelisi has published in several Pacific languages, including in English, Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, Tokelauan, Cook Island Māori and Spanish.
In 2015, Nelisi was the writer in residence at St Joseph's School, Otahuhu.

Published works

She has published a number of books for children including:Aiani moe Pia aitu Koe ama uga Venise and the little red radio Siones' Tale Te taro O Sione Koe tale ha Sione O le talo Sione Fishing with Spiderwebs Sione Went Fishing Thats the way El taro de Sione Tāne te whetū o te rā Tane steals the show He ika mawhitiwhiti pungawerewere Ko e Pele Kilikiki
  • ''The Blue Roses''

Awards and honours

In the AIM Children's Book Awards, O le talo Sione was a finalist in 1993 and Fishing with Spiderwebs was a finalist in 1995. Tāne te whetū o te rā was a finalist in the Picture Book category at the 1998 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.