New Zealand

What's the freshest place to go?

Where do the cleanest lakes flow?

New Zealand is of course the place to know!

The kiwi kids hang out in the sun,

Everybody gets a job well done.

Here in NZ nature thrives,

Go hiking or camping or out for a dive.

It's wonderful, fabulous, amazing fun,

The NZ good days have just begun!

Come to Aotearoa!

Claudia Yu (10), Castor Bay

Dear Friend

I was to thank you, but was unable to explain
What it means to have a friend
To share life’s joys and life’s pain
Friendship is one endless devotion
I can express my feelings
When I'm going through different dealings
Friendship is patience and forgiveness
Never failing or forsaking
For then friendship will be shaking
When spirit is down and hearts are breaking
It’s ever faithful
Even when the world condemns
We will sparkle in the darkness
Like fireworks and gems
Friendship makes me happy
Would be like all is at end
If you weren’t there to be my friend
To fill my heart with happiness
I would be lost
Nothing in life is forever
But our friendship is eternal.

Eloise Robinson (13), Mount Roskill

Creative Writing Extract

I felt shivers down my spine as the megalodon stared me in the eyes.

“Wait, wait, wait, let's go back to the start!”

It all started when Diego and Enola met each other.

It was a cold new year's night. Everyone was getting ready for midnight. Diego was a bartender and Enola was a lonely girl trying to find true love.

Let’s just say as soon as they looked each other in the eyes they knew they were both in love.

1 year later they shared their vows to one another at their wedding, which Enola had dreamed of since she was a little girl.

Later baby Zach was born and their family had begun…

Lily Higgs (12), Auckland

Perfect Me

Me is me and you are you,

I like food and you're just crude.

I am simple you have pimples,

Exploring is my thing,

You like snoring all morning.

I like rugby you’re just grumpy

I am just who I am.

Benjamin Robinson (11), Mt Roskill

The Monster and The Children

Once upon a time, there was a mum and five children. Her children were sisters.

One day, when they were strolling on a beach, a monster rose from the sand.

It had fur, fur that was deep vicious purple. It also had mouldy green spots, like water in a dirty drain. It took away the eldest sister and the mum.

As the monster left, the sand immediately poured into the hole it had left.

The sisters stared at the spot where the monster had burrowed down.

Finally, the third sister spoke up. “We should try to get our sister and mum back.”

The others agreed. They walked back home. On the way home, they saw a wise-looking old man. The sisters decide to trust him and told him the story about the monster. He stroked his chin and told them, “Well, for one thing I do know a legend about a monster like that.”

The children were more interested. “And I do have a map of how to get there.”

He took out a neatly folded yellowish piece of paper. “You can take it.” said the old man, “Thank you!” chorused the children. They walked the rest of the way home.

Back at home, the children each grabbed a pencil and a notebook and then started scribbling down a plan. Then they voted on whose plan was the best.

The winner was one of the youngest sisters’ plans. It was to build a boat and sail to the island then talk to the monster. Then the youngest sister secretly goes get their sister and mum, then leaves so they went to get supplies for the boat.

Then they started sawing, glueing and carving. When they were finished, they slept.

They woke up, carried the boat to the beach then began sailing.

Their hope was as large as the world. They FINALLY got to the island. They wasted no time in finding the monster. They also found their sister and mother.

All four of them worked really hard. Everything went according to plan.

Alicia Chan (8), Albany

Raisins

Raisins are so nice and sweet,
They are my favourite healthy treat,
They are grapes just left in the sun,
Waiting to be eaten because they are yum.

They are purplish black,
And they are sticky like blue tack.
I like to find a ton,
In a giant Chelsea bun.

I’ll never get bored of raisins,
No not at all,
I like them in muffins,
Coleslaw and more.

I’ll munch a handful everyday,
And when we buy more I’ll shout “Hooray!”

Ravyn Annear (10), Red Beach

Past Reader Contributions…

I love the evening

As I get into my soft bed, I think about all the wonderful things that have happened to me. Sunset is my favourite time of day because I get to relax and I don’t have to worry about anything.

I jump into my bed thinking about nothing other than getting some rest. The noise of my annoying brothers makes it hard for me to go to sleep.

But, once I lay my head on my soft silky pillow I am out!

I look out of my small window and I gaze at the different shades of pink on the clouds. Below that, I see mountains, dark as night. Flowers surround me and give me scents of spring. Clouds shift across the horizon. Stars appear in the beautiful, multicoloured sky. The simmering moon lights me up with joy. This is why I love the evening.

India (8), Hamilton

You’re the one with the crown

No matter the looks, no matter the life, we are all the same, reclaim and gain your passion and strength, there's no point to look down you’re the one with the crown.

Jade Close-Winiata (11), Nawton

I have a little poppy

I have a little poppy,

As red as can be,

To show that I Remember,

Those who fought to make me free.

Rebekah Van der spek (11), Oamaru

Island poem

The sun beat down on the tropical island.

The palm trees swayed in the humid breeze as the blood red sun sinks into the horizon.

The gleaming resort stands out from the lush green vegetation.

The water sloshes on the golden sand as bird calls engulf the ravishing island.

Leo Lang (11), Christchurch

My Favourite Time of the Day

As we drive to the pool, a smile creeps across my face. Sunset is my favourite time of the day because I have swimming.

I swim like I’ve never done before. I feel like a rocket speeding through the pool. The water fills me with happiness and the smell of the chlorine fills me with joy. When it’s been 1 and a half hours, I hop out and change. My damp togs are freezing on me.

The water is crystal blue and splashes.

When I and underwater you can see the black T that goes down the pool. That is why I love the sunset.

Dylan (7), Tamahere

As I sit down and crack open my lunch box, one sandwich calls my name. Midday is my favourite time of the day because I usually spend it with friends.

Sometimes I lay on the lush grass, still as stone, listening to nature. I chat and jog with my friends. Otherwise, I just doodle some wicked pictures nearby the classroom. Rarely, do I visit the tree stumps and hang there.

I see fuzzy white shape-shifting clouds blending with crystal clear cyan sky as I run on the titanium-hard concrete. When the bell rings for class, a permanent frown covers my face.

Bennett (8), Hamilton

Covid is gone

Covid is gone, and there's no more masks,

The world is back to normal, and we're back to our normal tasks,

Like going to work, or visiting a friend,

No more writing letters that we have to send,

And more going to Kmart,

But still reading Upstart!

Zeke Morrison, Deanwell

Chimney Climbing

“Could I try the wall?” I asked. “Sure,” answered Mr Stephenson. I belted up and started climbing. I hauled myself up. I had almost made it!

I started off chimney climbing. I went upside down and I almost fell off at one point. I came up the slope and adventured on and got to the top. I hung up there like a little monkey. I started swinging down.

I jumped off and got lowered down. I felt very proud.

I wish I could do it again.

Tate (7), Hamilton

The Hard Climb

My eyes were looking for the hardest wall to climb. I had climbed lots of other walls and I felt so good.

I was trying to figure out how to get past the hard bit and then I finally got past the hard bit!

When I made it to the top of the rope, I went down slowly. I don’t know why I went down slowly. Do you know why I went down slowly?

Steven (7), Hamilton

Beach poem

Gold sand crunches under my feet.
Palm trees blow in the beat of the sea flow.
Children on boogie boards riding to shore and going back out for even more,
At the end of the day the sun goes down and there is still a smile on the base of my face.

Keita Hira (10), Waitakere

I Miss Upstart (magazine)

I’m so lonely
Monthly upstart has disappeared
I really miss it
Sadness and woe
Shame upstart isn't here
Unticipating
Powerless
Sad
Tragedy
Angry
Righteous
Terrible.

Joel McLeod (6), Te Atatu Peninsula

Creating a new character

At school, I’m writing a Narrative story about a girl called Shelby who goes to a private school. Here’s a bit about my character…

Shelby has straight black hair that looks nice with her sky blue eyes, she has pale skin with lots of freckles on her face.

She is a short girl that enjoys writing, drawing, and reading she has one friend called Elizabeth who has curly brown hair and brown eyes.

Ellen Elliot (9), Oamaru

Poem

I like to rest in the park
When the sun is high
To listen to the birds sing
And watch the clouds go by

I like it when the sun shines
When it's warm and hot and bright
But when it starts to set
The moon will rise tonight.

Caylee Zhao (7), Morningside

Living in a Dream

I wonder what it would be like to live in a dream, a picture eternally in your mind, showing off its great gleam.

There are fun ones, perhaps an experience you’ve been waiting for your entire life, these are the ones that have caused you no strife.

These are also dreams that have caused you strong pain, and once you have reached them you let your happiness rain.

Dreams are something that one will live for, and to be honest I don’t blame them because if you have a dream you will eventually soar.

Violet Dixon (11), Auckland

I am a Pasifika person

I see the importance of my Pasifika and Samoan culture slowly fading away each day.

I hear the traditional Samoan songs and the morning prayer my Great-Grandma always says every morning when we wake up.

I try my best to understand, learn more about my culture and be a better version of myself.

My Pasifika values are: Faaaloalo, Alofa and Tautua, Respect, Love and Service.

I will live this out by respecting my elders, loving others and helping out in my community.

I hope that one day and in the future many young Pasifika people will continue with our Pasifika values.

I am a Pasifika person.

Ieremia Lam Sam (10), Auckland

Partners in Crime

Side by side,
Or miles apart,
My friends are forever,
Close to my heart.

And flowers will die,
The sun will set,
But you’re a friend,
I won't forget,

Your name is so precious,
It will never grow old,
It's engraved in my heart,
In letters of gold.

We are always together,
We are one of a kind,
And three words describe us,
Partners in crime.

Amelia Marshall (12), Whangarei

My Favourite Food

What is my favourite food I wonder?
Is it as quiet as a mouse or as loud as thunder?

It used to be cake but now it makes me shake
because I once bit into a fake.

It’s not jelly because jelly reminds me of my
uncle’s wobbling belly.

Rice used to be my one vice
but then I found dead mice in it twice!

By now you probably have a hunch
of what I like to eat for lunch

It's not made by machine
plus it’s lean and green!

It's the amazing...Bean!”

Ruby Smailes (11), Whakatane

Lost In The Wild

“The sunlight flitted through the treetops and the bird song filled the forest.

I am just happy I have survived another night. There are so many things out in the bush and there is no guarantee you will.

Moving the log I take a handful of berries from my berry supplies and I feel it's running low. I will have to go out of the safety of my camp to find more.

Weaving some big thick leaves around my feet for protection I trod out of safety and head into the wild.

The sound of insects and animal calls fill my ears as I get deeper into the forest.

I leave bright purple leaves every so often so I can find my way back...”

Madeleine Smith (12), Ngatea

Brave in The Icy Cold

“The wind blows on my shoulder
As I walk through the icy cold
My heart pounds as I race through the untold
The wind on my face
Signalling me to go back
I jump as I see a wolf
I run forward without a stop
The snow rains down on me
And the wind gets stronger
My heart pounds faster
As I get stuck in the untold
I remind myself that I am Brave
And move further without a break
I am fearless the wind can see
As it stops bothering me
It stands still
Like it’s lost its motion
I run over
To my little hut in the corner
Standing strong in the storm
My heart stops pounding
The wind stops blowing
The flower starts blooming

Now the Gentle Breeze blows on my shoulder.”

Mishika Chawla (10), Manukau