Sarita’s story begins on the lush slopes of Mount Pirongia, where a childhood spent exploring native bush sparked a lifelong love of Aotearoa’s natural world. Today, that love has grown into a passion project that’s taken flight with the release of her first book, The New Zealand Bird Book.
This charming, information-packed story follows Peter Rapeti, a curious rabbit who sets out to meet the birds of New Zealand. Equal parts educational, entertaining, and heartwarming, Sarita’s book invites readers of all ages to fall in love with the unique birdlife that makes New Zealand so special.
But this story isn’t just about birds. It’s also about one woman’s journey to share her voice, inspire conservation, and build something beautiful for the next generation. Along the way, Rocketspark has been proud to play a small part in helping her bring that vision to life online.
Want to have a go at building your own website? Start your 30-day free trial.
A life steeped in nature, teaching, and storytelling
Sarita has always been drawn to the outdoors. From family tramping trips to studying nature up close with her children, the bush has been her classroom, playground, and sanctuary. With a background in early childhood education and a keen interest in forest schools, she’s spent years nurturing young minds and helping them connect with the environment.
That deep connection to the land and its creatures is more than a personal passion. It’s a family legacy. Sarita’s father and extended family have all been involved in conservation efforts on Mount Pirongia. She now volunteers with the local restoration society herself, working to make the maunga a safe home for native birds.
Her work in education and conservation naturally led to her next chapter: becoming an author. Writing a book was the perfect way to bring together her love for storytelling, her experience as a teacher, and her dedication to protecting our native species.
From handwritten notes to a published book, and a website to match
When Sarita decided to self-publish her book, she knew she needed a website to showcase her work. She didn’t have any prior web design experience, but that didn’t stop her.
“I was a complete newbie to creating a website,” she shared. “But after an evening playing around, I had figured out how to do most of the editing. After that I found the system very intuitive.”
Using one of Rocketspark’s templates, she built a site that reflects her style and passion beautifully. It’s clear, inviting, and filled with the same heart as her book. With help from Alex, Rocketspark’s Business Growth Specialist, Sarita found the right domain name and received tailored feedback to make her website even stronger.
“Being able to do the website design myself, but also have so much knowledgeable support easily at hand—it was wonderful. They were encouraging of my project. I would highly recommend them.”
What’s next for Sarita?
Having launched The New Zealand Bird Book to glowing reviews, Sarita is already working on her second book. Her website now serves as a digital home for her creative work. It’s a space to connect with her growing audience and a platform to inspire curiosity, conservation, and connection.
Sarita’s story is a powerful reminder that you don’t need to be a tech expert or a seasoned entrepreneur to create something meaningful. With the right tools and support, you can start small, dream big, and make a lasting impact. Just like Peter Rapeti.
We’re so proud to have been a part of Sarita’s journey, and we can’t wait to see where her next adventure leads.
Inspired by Sarita’s story? Start your own journey with a free trial of Rocketspark and discover how easy it can be to build a beautiful website that brings your passion to life.
