Airana Ngarewa left school to become a cage fighter. He hated English. Now a teacher, he's being described as a major new literary talent. His first novel is The Bone Tree. Born and raised in Patea, his aunts are Spotswood College principal Nicola Ngarewa, and Te Pati Maori co-leader MP Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. Airana will be appearing at WORD Christchurch on Aug 26 and 27.