The Whale Rider

Age 13+. The movie of The Whale Rider was released internationally in 2003. The whale rider was Kahutia Te Rangi. Ancestor of the people of Te Tai Rawhiti, he travelled from Hawaiki, the place of the Ancients, to the East Coat of New Zealand. Then there was Kahu. The first great-grandchild of the whanau, she was loved by all her relatives except the one whose love she needed most - her great-grandfather. Moving effortlessly between mythology and realism, pathos and comedy, The Whale Rider will delight readers of all ages. Since its publication in 1987, The Whale Rider has been reprinted numerous times and has become one of Witi Ihimaera's best-loved books.

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award 2005
Winner of National Book Data New Zealand Booksellers' Choice Award 1987

"A poetic blend of reality and myth provides a riveting tale of adventure and passion." -- School Library Journal
"The book behind the award-winning movie opens with the tale of the original whale rider, immersing the listener in the sweep of Maori culture at the heart of this remarkable story. The new young whale rider takes her rightful name, Kahu. The girl-child's story is told by her uncle Rawiri: her breaking of the male chain of descendants, her rejection by her great-grandfather, her role in saving her people, and her extraordinary ride on the old bull whale. New Zealander Jay Laga'aia effortlessly navigates the Maori names, facilitating the listener's entrance into another culture. His pacing is confident, and his inflections, though sometimes a bit comical for the women, allow for easy differentiation among characters. Laga'aia's narration acts as a guide as the story's characters move from traditional beliefs to new awareness. The audio is instrumental in proving that even with such a wonderful movie, the book is better." -- AudioFile Magazine

Witi Tame Ihimaera-Smiler, generally known as Witi Ihimaera, is a New Zealand author, and is often regarded as the most prominent Maori writer alive. He is a member of the Distinguished Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit and has also received the Queen's Service Medal. He is currently a Professor of English and Distinguished Creative Fellow in Maori Literature at the University of Auckland. Jay Laga'aia was born in Auckland, New Zealand and is one of Australasia's most accomplished actors. His television credits include Water Rats, Starstruck, Surprise Surprise and Play School. He has appeared in the films Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Star Wars Episodes II and III. Jay also has numerous theatre credits including Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, The New Rocky Horror Show and The Lion King.

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