When Maia receives a brand-new cell phone from Aunty Bessie, he is excited to explore this new world at his fingertips. But as the days pass, Maia slowly becomes lost in screens, games, and endless scrolling. The stories of Nanny Rakai, the laughter of his friends, and even the wisdom of the taniwha begin to fade into the background. After finding himself alone and disconnected, Maia turns to his taniwha guardians for guidance. Through their wisdom, he learns an important lesson — technology can be useful, but it should never replace the love, connection, and presence of whānau and the people who care for us most. Grounded in Te Ao Māori and the values of balance, whanaungatanga, and kaitiakitanga, Maia and His New Cell Phone is a heartfelt and relatable story for tamariki growing up in a digital world. This meaningful journey encourages readers to reflect on healthy screen time, the importance of real-life relationships, and the treasures that cannot be found behind a screen — love, laughter, stories, and connection.
