'Unpretentious, sensitive, accessible, this collection of inter-related short stories brings into your emotional world the imaginary community of Waitapu, with its varied and compelling characters trying to navigate and survive the sometimes harrowing circumstances their lives present. Waitapu will live with me for a long time.' --Albert Wendt Booknotes Unbound ‘Real, authentic, close to the Bone. These stories make for great reading - I love them’ – Reina Whaitiri ‘This is a book about the small, and significant, ways we have an impact on each other's lives, and it is also about survival and the triumph of kindness’ - Anna Taylor ‘A new voice in Māori, and New Zealand, writing. These characters will be familiar to all readers: they're the neighbours we think we know. Helen's stories take us inside their lives’ - Tina Makereti

Helen Waaka, Ngati Whatua, Nga Puhi, Ngati Torehina, has a Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing from the Whitireia Creative Writing Programme. She also has a Bachelor of Nursing and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Women's Health. She currently works as a nurse in Hawke's Bay. In 2011 she was the winner of the Pikihuia Award for Best Short Story Written in English, and in 2013 she received a Highly Commended Award in the Pikihuia Novel Extract Written in English category. Helen's novel extract 'Eyes of God' was shortlisted by judge Witi Ihimaera for the 2015 Pikihuia Award for Best Novel Extract Written in English and will be published in Huia Short Stories 11.

Eva 9; Life's too short 23; Katherine 35; Stranger's smile 41; King of the castle 51; Paradigm shift 63; The pool 79; The stroke 89; Tane 101; Staying alive 113; Something important 125; Hineraumati 137; Autumn 145; A place to stand 149; The tawhai boy 159; A sense of belonging 169; Snapshot of a woman 181; Waitapu 189