‘Atomic Habits saved my life': the books that made Māori Millionaire

The Spinoff

3 days ago

Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Te Kahukura Boynton, the author of Māori Millionaire: A beginner's guide to building better money habits.
The book I wish I'd written
After finishing my book, Māori Millionaire, I wished I'd written a memoir. This book was such a journey, such an experience – and when it launches it will make history as the first ever personal finance book with a Māori author. My mission to bridge the wealth gap goes further than just a money book.
Money is not just a numbers game – without the mindset, without understanding what created this wealth gap in the first place, and creating aligned strategies, you'll feel like you're constantly battling against the tide. Mindset is a consistent theme throughout the book – something I could write about through a memoir is the different mindset barriers I've faced and how I've overcome them! The journey, the different experiences I've had that made me who I am, why I do what I do.
Everyone should read
Māori Millionaire because this book is helpful, even if you're not Māori. What I do really well is simplify things. There's enough people in the world overcomplicating stuff, and there's enough books on the finance shelf that you also need a dictionary to read alongside. My book is not that. It's simple. It's exactly what the front cover says, 'a beginner's guide to building better money habits'.
The first book I remember reading by myself
The Red Bandana by Tom Rinaldi. I remember my mum coming home with this from the op shop and after reading the first few pages, I was obsessed with it. I remember being so moved by this story, so inspired.
Fiction or nonfiction
Nonfiction all the way!
The book I wish would be adapted for film or TV
Atua Wāhine by Hana Tapiata. Imagine a movie about our Māori goddesses! How interesting would that be!
Most underrated book
I don't understand how more than 20 million copies of Atomic Habits by James Clear has been sold, yet so many people don't know about it or haven't read it. This book saved my life.
Encounter with an author
I met Robert Kiyosaki (author of Rich Dad Poor Dad) at his last event in Auckland, New Zealand. I had VIP tickets, which meant I could actually meet him, and have a photo with him as well! The experience was pretty interesting, but I thought he would speak more at his own event…
Greatest New Zealand book
Waitohu by Dr Hinemoa Elder has been so helpful for me to learn more about the Maramataka. I loved this and it's a book I re-read often.
Best thing about reading
Reading takes you to another world! Growing up, books were always a big escape for me, an opportunity to experience something I couldn't in my real life. The other really awesome thing about reading, of course, is learning new information. I read Rich Dad Poor Dad at eight, and I don't think I'd be where I am if I hadn't!
Best place to read
My favourite place to read a book is on the beach, under the sun!
What I'm reading right now
I'm currently reading Start with Why by Simon Sinek. I've read this before, but I find that re-reading books I often learn things I didn't see on the first read. At different stages of life, we have different things to gain from reading the same books.
Māori Millionaire by Te Kahukura Boynton ($35, Penguin NZ) is available to purchase through Unity Books.
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