By KELLY BREE
Papatoetoe's Vinepa Aiono recalls telling her father when she was 12 years old that God didn't exist and her science teacher had told the class humans evolved from monkeys.
Her strictly religious father told her: "Your science teacher is a fool. Only your science teacher looks like a monkey."
The anecdote is part of Ms Aiono's contribution to a new book of short stories for teenagers. Bona Fide, released today, is a collection of 53 tales from adults and youths about their turbulent teenage years.
Selected from 300 applicants, Ms Aiono's "covenant relationships" story talks of growing up in a Samoan culture centred on the Bible.
Ms Aiono says she doesn't support the slogan 'practise safe sex'. It should be 'practise safe relationships' because there is no pill or condom that can heal a broken heart or broken relationship. We need to teach teenagers the truth about safe relationships being based on honour, honesty and forgiveness."
Ms Aiono says her Samoan heritage was an important part of her teenage years.
She is now a partner in Soulton House Publishing Ltd, the first female Pacific-owned publishing company in New Zealand.
Bona Fide, published by Avocado Press, aims to show teens they are not alone in feeling isolated, pressured or misunderstood. Half the profits from Bona Fide sales will go to Project K, a support organisation for teenagers.
- THE AUCKLANDER
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