Tania Roxborogh

@taniaroxborogh

Writer; PhD student. Dog & book lover. 'Damn leftie' Māori/Irish/Scottish/Proud Kiwi Shakespeare/mātauranga passionate www.tkroxborogh.com 🚫DMs (unless I know you) 🚫 $$$ or date requests

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Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· 16d

Pre and post op photo of my foot. Still a lot of healing ahead

Photo of left and right foot. Both have bunions. Left foot worse.

Photo of right foot post bunion correction surgery and 2nd and 3rd meta something. Plates were put in. Key hole. Toes are askew

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· 22d

I'll translate for you: these politicians make me sick (&sad). Also, my ball is stuck

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· 27d

Current minders. This is Vet Girl's cat, Pippin. Coach bounded up on the bed and flopped down, leaning against her. She is unimpressed.

photo of a grey striped tabby cat with ears back, sitting on the left of the photo and Coach, the gorgeous apricot and white border collie staring past the camera. There is a comfy old red/orange blanket over my legs and, in the back ground the grey two seater that is used to dump hubby's clothes

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· 27d

The pōtiki's beloved cat is in renal failure and the decision has been made. My hope is that my girl has resilience to navigate the grief. We are all meeting at the vet to say goodbye. Not even my cat but I'm crying

Tuxedo cat staring up at the camera.
This wee thing was adopted from the SPCA 12 years ago. She'd already had kittens but was still a kitten herself so never grew bigger.

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· 28d

Hasn't left my side. This is NOT normal to lie on our bed.

Apricot and white border collie on a red blanket. View from me lying in bed

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· 29d

Proof of life: I brushed my hair, washed my face, put on MY underwear and touched up lippy with gloss. Now l want to go back to sleep

Midshot of 60 year old woman with long brown hair over one shoulder. Dressed in a snazzy hospital gown. I thought I was smiling when l took the photo but this must be all l can muster

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· 29d

8 hours post op Highlight so far is being given my dinner by a lovely ex student Rosie. Writer, Shakespeare, te reo Māori learner kid. 🥰

Photo of a leg, red tinged and a purple arrow pointing down to toes which a hidden by a bulbis dressing. Leg resting on a blue pillow

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jul 15

got the gears for post surgery ambulation and showering. I'm first off the rank tomorrow morning (gotta be at the hospital at 6.30am) Procedure is putting metal plates in the bones at the top of my foot (2nd and 3rd Meta something) and bunion correction

Photo of mobility aids: white toilet assistest (a frame the slots against the loo so you have hand rails to help you get up); a knee scooter with basket (very flash) and the black crutches slotted into the holds at the sides of the basket. Upside down in the white shower stool. You can't see it but in the basket is a black weighted shoe in a plastic bag

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jul 13

To me it really feels like teachers could do all the right things for their students' success if they had the right support they wanted/needed. Who'da thunk?

screen shot of part of an email which reads: From the part of the intro:

The first part of this chapter addresses the question: What is the current state of teacher willingness and readiness for integrating mātauranga Māori alongside Shakespeare? In doing so, it provides the evidence base for the integration model design presented in later chapters. Participants differed in their teaching experience, school context, geographical location, political perspectives, educational background, confidence with mātauranga Māori, access to support and resources, and the needs of the students they taught. The findings that follow represent patterns across the data rather than universal views held by all teachers.

These are the main themes that have emerged from the data:

Context:

1. Teaching English in Aotearoa New Zealand is politically situated.

2. Teachers are not one homogeneous group.

Findings:

3. Teachers hold diverse views about the place of Shakespeare in the curriculum.

4. There is widespread willingness to integrate mātauranga Māori.

5. There is a confidence gap - teachers fear getting it wrong and/or causing offence.

6. Time and workload constrain teachers' ability to implement new approaches.

7. Teachers prioritise approaches they believe will best meet the needs of their students.

Name of Tania Roxborogh phd research white on black ground at the top

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jul 10

Preparing to avoid doing hard things

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jul 6

In my therapy sesh this morning, I talked about how writing helps me make sense of my world; how I'm constantly surprised at the wisdom that comes from my (made-up) characters; how I am encouraged and motivated. Here's an extract From Charlie T, between two characters (relates to using Ai in a way)

‘Make a difference to who? To what?’
‘To people who need my help.’ The blue became a lighter shade so that parts of him were like the sky. ‘Messages, thoughts, feelings, all these things I’ve been able to use to help people have easier lives. What I told you and Jenny, that is exactly as it happened. I was needed but my family said that I was creating dependency and that was not good for anyone. They said I was changing the way people behaved.’
I couldn’t see how that was bad. ‘Were you turning them into baddies?’
He chuckled sadly. ‘No, I was making their lives easier – removing obstacles; giving them the right songs to sing, words to say. They weren’t the ones who were unhappy with my help. I was showing them an easier way. They were grateful, Charlie. Wouldn’t you be?’
As he spoke, the melody from a waiata rose up inside me and I began to hum the tune.
‘What’s that song?’
‘It’s a song about the three baskets Tāne brought down from the heavens.’ I continued to hum, searching for the lines that were nagging to be sung…

Gave gifts to the community
Gifts for all
To make tools for the industry
Knowledge for the mind
Understanding of the way of things
To thrive, to learn, to pass on to his offspring….
‘I don’t think I understand why you are singing that, Charlie.’
‘The whole point of hard things, Sesbik, is to learn. Like, when I was teaching Robbie how to ride a bike, I let him tip over, fall, crash.’
‘That’s terrible.’
‘It’s not great but he hated crashing and learned real quick how to balance – how to ride the bike the way he needed to ride the bike. If I’d kept holding onto Robbie’s bike, he would’ve thought he could ride but he wouldn’t know how.’ I inhaled carefully. Good, didn’t hurt as much. ‘If we rob Robbie of all these experiences – even the hard things – then he doesn’t get to grow into the awesome person he’s becoming. You can’t and shouldn’t try to stop hard things happening to him – to anyone. Don’t you see?’
‘Yes, thank you, Charlie.’ His colours brightened again. ‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
His answer should have made me feel better.

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jul 3

@kimtairi.bsky.social

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jul 3

Every day for a month, this person has tried to call. My phone blocks it so l just get this message. I did try to call back but there was just a beep then disconnect. Anyone else having this?

Voicemail: You missed a call from this caller who did not leave a message, at 12:05PM on 03/07/26. Call +6498855953 to call this caller back.

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jul 1

Poor Coach is still so sore. He has an appointment with Animal orthopedic tomorrow They are going to try to find the reason for the symptoms Once again so grateful we can afford Pet Insurance. This morning he sat down 5 mins into his walk & wanted to come home

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jul 1

My word list of words to cull

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 29

Been hanging onto the envelope for my change to the Māori roll trying to organise myself to drop it at a post office - trouble is, boxes are mostly gone and Post Shops are few & far between. Then I got an email saying I could do it all online. Doh! Easy

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 25

In our family, I am the LEAST likely to crack jokes. Everyone else pun-riffs whenever we're together. But, with my novel writing, my characters absolutely NAIL the jokes. So much so that the husband LAUGHS OUT LOUD when I've re-read passages for rhythm. The last joke of my novel is priceless

‘You guys ready?’ Grandad asked, interrupting my thoughts.
Robbie chucked the last of the cone and wrapper into a bin. ‘Am now.’
‘Yeah,’ I said, getting to my feet.
Just then, the prosthetic joint locked and I lurched forward.
‘Charlie!’ Jenny cried.
Quick as a spark, Robbie leapt forward and caught me before I face-planted into the concrete.
‘You right, bro?’ he asked, helping me right myself.
With my heart hammering in my chest, I pulled up the trouser leg. ‘It’s jammed – the joint,’ I said pointing. ‘Can you give it a kick?’
‘Gladly,’ Robbie said and walked behind me. ‘Ready?’ I nodded. He gave a swift kick to the back of the leg and we both heard a clunk.
I dropped down the pant leg and tried the leg. All fixed. ‘Thanks.’
‘Where would you be without me, huh?’
‘Probably legless.’
Robbie snorted.
Funny. I’d spent so much of my life trying to look after him that I’d almost forgotten he spent just as much time looking after me.
This time, as we headed through the gates together, sticky-handed and sun-warmed, leaving the zoo noises humming behind us, I decided I’d try way harder to remember that.

THE END

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 23

I was editing this section last night and man my writing must be really good cos I had to stop and go make myself cheese of toast

Screen shot of my novel with the passage reading: ‘No utu?’
‘Nope.’ He picked at non-existent fluff on his trousers. ‘The leaders of the Campbell clan said it wasn’t their order to massacre the MacDonalds. So, no. No restoration or reparation.’
‘That sucks,’ I said. I opened the oven to remove the tray of toasties. The rich, salty aroma of hot cheese filled the kitchen.
‘You embarrassed to be a Campbell?’ I asked, shifting the hot food onto plates.
‘Can’t change the past, Charlie. You don’t get to choose what your ancestors did, but you do get to choose what you do when it’s your turn.’
Outside, the cityscape shifted, silhouettes darkening as the streetlights came on. Funny how people the world over still do the same terrible things. I could only hope that our generation would be different.
The delicious smell of the snack drew Robbie into the kitchen.
‘Yum,’ he cried, grabbing at the food. ‘Hi Dad,’ he said, his mouth already stuffed full of food.’
‘What happened to your hands?’ Mike asked. ‘You two been scrapping again?’
‘Not with each other this time,’ Robbie said, still chewing. ‘Me and Charlie went to the zoo and tried to save a monkey but then these kids nicked his leg…’
‘A monkey’s leg?’
‘Charlie’s leg,’ Robbie continued.

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 23

Puppy tongue

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 23

Vet Girl is reading my manuscript. This is a good thing.

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 21

just over a year left but I don't think I will ever go back, eh?

photo of a Full Practising Certificate (Category 1) from Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. expires 9th Sept 2027

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 21

Puppy play to make you smile

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 21

Just now this message: Now on read through two (this is normal for him when he likes a book!) This is WHY I write (so that kids will read)

child in dark tee shirt sitting in bed reading. Left arm in a cast. Black cat on the bed

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 21

This afternoon I finished the edits of Charlie Tangaroa and the Battle for Peace. I'm exhausted. This draft yielded 6,000 more words. The page 69 test. This idea is meant for a published book but I've done it for the manuscript. What do you think? Have I pass the page 69 test for you?

screen shot of Word document that reads:
‘Now!’ I gave a firm shove on her tiny frame and she stumbled, fell, hands splayed but stood again, glanced back a moment before running into the arms of another adult.
Oh, thank goodness!
Another wet gust slapped me, stronger this time and the steel frame jerked violently. I grabbed the brace and pulled with everything I had, twisting my leg at an angle that made my teeth clench. The metal shrieked. Something shifted.
I thought my head would explode like a scene in one of Robbie’s games and I thought I could not hold on any more – that I would be sucked up into the waterspout and parts of me scattered over Papeete – when the wind changed direction suddenly, like a hand letting go. The pressure eased for half a heartbeat. Everything stopped.
I fell back to the ground just as the water spout flew overhead and returned to the sea before evaporating into nothing. I lay on my back, twisted by the leg, catching my breath.
Then, like someone coming late to a joke, a nerve-wrenching siren-wail filled the air.
A moment later, shadows fell over me and I opened my eyes to see a group of people standing there. Just then, a woman burst through the onlookers, the young child now on her hip.
She handed the girl to someone and threw herself at me, crying and kissing the wet cheeks. ‘Merci,’ she cried. ‘Merci!’
The kid’s mother, clearly.
‘Can you get up?’ someone asked, but as I moved, pain shot through my hip and back.
‘No.’ Then I did what I’d done many times before: I detached my leg and shuffled backwards.
I sat on the ground, one and a half legs outstretched, head bent, trying to catch my breath. I’m alive; the kid’s alive; I didn’t die; I’m okay; is my leg okay? I think my leg’s okay? What just happened? Why did that just happen? Wait till I tell Robbie I nearly got sucked up by a water tornedo. Is the group okay? Am I okay?
Did we just see Tāwhirimatea’s cousin try to give us the bash?

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 21

Love getting these kind of messages: "Guess who finally picked this up last night! Been reading off and on all day and now at the end 😍"

photo of a kid sitting on a bed reading Charlie Tangaroa and the Creature from the Sea.
Kid has a plaster cast on their left arm; chunky black watch on the other. In the background is a view through a window of a vege garden

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 18

asked for my bio. This is accurate, eh?

In a past life and for many years, Tania (Ngāti Porou) instructed students on the value of story and the dangers of megalomaniac commas.

Now, she spends her time avoiding: finishing the edits of her latest Charlie Tangaroa novel or working on her PhD (researching how to teach Shakespeare via a mātauranga Māori lens).

Instead, apologetically, most of the time she reads books, watches television shows and movies, and plays tug-tug with her bordercollie, Coach.

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 17

The struggle is real

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 14

Got up at 4am to do some reading in prep for the new scene. Working in the spare room away from sleeping hubby and the dog. More detailed description in the ALT text

Photo of the chaos that is research for a novel: on the left is a partial view of my Macbook Pro with Word open. On the right a tumble of books: Māori Poetry - the singing word by Barry Metcalf; black background and a green koru design; white type; The Woven Universe (blue with yellow writing) by Māori Marsden; Tikanga Māori by Tā Hiri Moko Mead; He Atua He Tangata The World of Māori Mythology - large green book. These two are on top of two more: Papa Witi's wonderful Navigating the Stars and the old Māori Myths and Legends by Margaret Orbell. Oh, and the bedspread is flurents yellow/green with white dots (bought for the pōtiki when we was a kid)

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 5

I'm watching the last episode of the final season of Hacks and they go to Paris and I see this and smile cos a) I been there and b) yes, French bread is the best

Tania Roxborogh@taniaroxborogh· Jun 5

Was feeling powerless over my choices for electoral vote (Nat Selwyn MP always wins) but remembered I'm lucky to be able to switch to Māori role.