Genre
Children’s
Picture Book
Haka
Patricia Grace
From: $25.00
Storylines Notable Book, 2016
Finalist, Picture Book category, New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, 2016
This is the story of the great Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha and how he came to compose the haka 'Ka Mate, Ka Mate'. Te Rauparaha is pursued by his enemies, and he fears for his life. At Lake Rotoaira, he is hidden in a kūmara pit, and Te Rangikoaea, a woman of great power, sits in front of its entrance. As he hears his enemies approaching, Te Rauparaha whispers in the dark, ‘Will I die?’ Will I live?’ His enemies cannot find him, and he climbs back to the sunlight. As he recounts this adventure to his people, his words are repeated and the haka rings out, to be passed down from generation to generation.
This children's book tells the story behind the haka that is recognised the world over through New Zealand teams performing it at national and international sporting events. The book is also available as a Māori-language edition, Whiti te Rā!
Pages
32
Language
English
Publication Date
September 18, 2015
Dimensions
210 x 270 mm
ISBN (Soft Cover)
9781775502074
""Reading this book with [my son] has given me a way to talk with him about Māori traditions and the way that they are honoured in everyday life here; and how unique we are in having this rich history...Please buy this book for your whānau and spend the time with the younger members to teach them about this important part of their history.""
""This is an excellent recount of the conception of an important part of our Aotearoa/New Zealand identity. Children will be thrilled and inspired by it. My workmates who couldn’t walk past my desk without picking up this awesome book were in turn captivated, wowed, and entranced.""