Sarona Aiono-Iosefa

Sarona is a Christchurch-born Samoan. She has a Certificate in Journalism and Bachelor of English Literature, and currently works as a senior writer for Health Education Trust.

Sarona’s children’s fiction reflects the point of view she gained, growing up as a Pacific Islander in the South Island. Her story, ‘Blackcurrant Jam’ (published in Out of the Deep), is based on her own childhood. She has written many stories for Learning Media’s Tupu series – published in English and six Pacific Island languages.

Sarona currently lives in Christchurch.

Selected bibliography:

• Samoa [Pacific Way] (Reed Publishing 2001).  
• Two Cans of Corned Beef and a Manulele in a Mango Tree: A Pacific Christmas illustrated by Steven Dunn (Reed Publishing 2004).
• The Pipi Swing illustrated by Bruce Potter (Reed Publishing 2007).

Awards:

• Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer in Residence at the Centre of Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawai’i in Manoa 2007.