All That We KnowAll That We Know

All That We Know follows Mareikura as she navigates her friendships, sexuality, relationships, and most importantly, her reclaiming of her culture and her language, all while grappling with the traumas of colonisation. 'You can't tell our stories if you can't speak our reo. Te taea e koe, te taea e koe.' When Mareikura arrives at the marae to photograph the events of Waitangi Day, she is greeted by an elder at the gate. The woman's question - how will you speak our truths if you can't speak our language? - shakes Mareikura to the core. She already feels ashamed that she can't speak te reo, even though she has tried to learn. But where does she belong if not on her own whenua? Mareikura makes the decision to reclaim her culture, and she begins a year of full immersion language school. What she's not prepared for is the pain triggered by the long-buried traumas of colonisation, oppression, casual racism, and never feeling as though you belong. At the same time, she's navigating her love life - an intense relationship with Kat - friendships old and new, and a family history that she's buried for too long. All That We Know is a powerful story that speaks to some painful truths about our country's history, while keeping readers turning the pages with shining prose, brilliant characterisation, pitch-perfect humour, and a huge amount of heart. You really connect with Mareikura, and her voice in your head encourages you to ask yourself some important questions about our society, and to see some issues in a new way.