In 2022, during one of those dazed late nights with a newborn, Donna Rhyse Dacuno had a eureka moment: to bring Filipino books to Aotearoa and encourage new parents in multicultural families to introduce their children to their mother tongue from the very beginning.
From that spark, Matatás Bookshop was born. Matatás, meaning fluent in Filipino, reflects her mission to help families in New Zealand stay fluent in language, culture and identity through stories. What began as a small collection of bilingual children’s books and activity kits has grown to include young adult titles, anthologies and regular pop-up stalls at community events.
Donna’s passion extends beyond bookselling. She leads Filipino Storytime in Auckland libraries, where folktales, songs and games create joyful spaces for children to connect with their heritage and for parents and guardians to share the stories they grew up with.
Balancing entrepreneurship with raising her toddler, Donna sees Matatás as more than a business—it is a cultural bridge. She believes books are powerful tools for belonging, especially for children of migrant and multicultural families navigating multiple identities.
“When kids see themselves in a story, they feel seen in the world.”
For Donna, every book sold and every story shared nurtures fluency not just in language, but in identity, connection and pride.
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