Tokoroa teen author Rutendo Shadaya makes Time Magazine's ‘Girls of the Year' list
Rutendo Shadaya, 17, was the only New Zealander among 10 girls named by the magazine as being 'part of a generation that's reshaping what leadership looks
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1News
a day ago
- 1News
Tokoroa teen named on Time magazine's Girls of the Year list
A 16-year-old fantasy author from Tokoroa as been named on TIME magazine's first Girls of the Year 2025 list. The TIME list featured 10 "extraordinary young leaders" between the ages of 12 and 17 who were nominated for their global impact, and were inspiring communities around the world. Author Rutendo Shadaya was the only person nominated from Australasia, and told Breakfast she "couldn't believe this was real" when she was told the news. "I signed up, agreed to work with them and was looking forward to where it will take me." Shadaya's two self-published books: Rachel and the Enchanted Forest (2020) and Rachel and the Chevene Pirates (2022) drew inspiration from her own friendships and culture as a Zimbabwean-New Zealander. ADVERTISEMENT Both storylines featured themes of strong female empowerment, and growth, which she said resonated with her as a writer. Author Rutendo Shadaya. (Source: Breakfast) "With my main character Rachel, it shows the character development from this shy girl to this empowering girl that goes out of her comfort zone, similar to my writing as well." Shadaya admitted that she "didn't actually like writing" when she first picked up the pen at age 9. "The way I came up with the story and stuff was basically what I grew up around, so the TV shows, the books I read... When I form these characters I was just thinking based on a little bit of what I've seen in real life and a little bit of what I've seen on TV. "Just a cool, relatable, character or like something that I would kind of read." She said she planned to write two more books in the Rachel series before the end of school. ADVERTISEMENT TIME magazine's full list of nominees Rutendo Shadaya, 16, an advocate for young authors in New Zealand Coco Yoshizawa, 15, an Olympic gold-medalist in Japan Valerie Chiu, 15, a global science educator in China Zoé Clauzure, 15, an anti-bullying crusader in France The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, Trump rates chances of success ahead of meeting Putin, the haul of stolen gear police want to return, and Baby Shark lawsuit thrown out. (Source: 1News) Clara Proksch, 12, a scientist prioritizing child safety in Germany ADVERTISEMENT Ivanna Richards, 17, a racing driver shattering stereotypes in Mexico Kornelia Wieczorek, 17, a biotech innovator in Poland Defne Özcan, 17, a trailblazing pilot in Turkey Rebecca Young, 12, an engineer tackling homelessness in the United Kingdom Naomi S. DeBerry, 12, an organ donation advocate and children's book author in the United States.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Tokoroa teen author Rutendo Shadaya makes Time Magazine's ‘Girls of the Year' list
A Tokoroa teenager has been included on Time 's first-ever 'Girls of the Year' list, five years after she began self-publishing her own book series. Rutendo Shadaya, 17, was the only New Zealander among 10 girls named by the magazine as being 'part of a generation that's reshaping what leadership looks
NZ Herald
01-08-2025
- NZ Herald
Drama aplenty at New Zealand International Film Festival: Laura Vodanovich
This year, there's plenty of Aotearoa/New Zealand content to watch, with seven films, including two by legendary Dame Gaylene Preston, who will be at the screenings and for question and answer sessions afterwards. Preston's films are Grace: A Prayer for Peace, portraying another legendary New Zealander, Dame Robin White, and screening on August 31 at 1pm; and War Stories Our Mothers Never Told Us, screening on September 6 at 10.45am. Other New Zealand content includes Prime Minister, looking at the ups and downs of Jacinda Ardern's leadership of the country; Anchor Me – The Don McGlashan Story, revealing the man behind the music; Not Only Fred Dagg, providing an intimate glimpse into John Clarke's life; Went up the Hill, a thriller filmed in Christchurch; and Ngā Whanaunga: Aotearoa New Zealand's Best 2025, a selection of the best in a series of short films. Closing film, Sentimental Value, explores the complex relationship between daughter Nora, and her estranged father and film director Gustav, who resurfaces after Nora's mother dies. In an attempt to boost his declining career, Gustav tries to coerce his daughter, now a famous actor, to star in his new film about his mother (Nora's grandmother), who, haunted by the torture she suffered under the Nazis, eventually took her own life in the family home where Nora and her sister were raised. Between It Was Just an Accident and Sentimental Value bookending the festival, it feels sure we are in good and well-considered hands, with a selection of films offering all the drama, excitement, laughs, and thought-provoking content you want from a film festival. Over just 11 short days, there are 34 different films, showing over 48 screenings, providing a smorgasbord of treats with something for everyone. Programmes are available at the museum and in various cafes and venues across Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. We look forward to welcoming you to the Century Theatre to enjoy your picks. Tickets for the New Zealand International Film Festival are now available online through the MTG website ( or at the museum counter, for purchase.
