"Paint or be Painted" is a coming-of-age story about James, a 12-year-old boy who moves with his family from Waihi to Wellington, New Zealand. The story follows James as he deals with leaving behind his beloved German Shepherd dog Wolf with his grandparents and adjusts to life in a new city.

James is an avid paintball enthusiast and receives a high-end paintball gun for his birthday. His father involves him in building a fence for their new home's backyard, which borders an alleyway. When taggers vandalize the new fence, James's father uses his son's paintball gun to chase them away, with the incident being captured on video and becoming evidence when the taggers try to file a complaint against James's father.

At his new school, James encounters bullying from Gary, a large Maori student who was one of the taggers. However, he also forms a friendship with Gary's cousin Tane, who shares his interest in paintball. James joins a competitive paintball team led by an older player named Darren, who recognizes his natural talent as a sniper and takes him under his wing.

When Gary and his friends plan to vandalize the fence again, James enlists help from his paintball team. They set up an elaborate ambush with another team, successfully defending the fence by pelting the would-be taggers and their van with paintballs. The entire operation is captured on video from multiple angles and becomes a viral hit on YouTube with 15 million views.

The novel combines themes of family, friendship, standing up to bullies, and finding one's place in a new environment. It showcases how James's passion for paintball helps him overcome challenges and make new connections. The story balances action sequences with character development, while addressing issues like vandalism, bullying, and adapting to change through the lens of a young protagonist discovering his strengths and building confidence.