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.

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. S.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

 

I love this movie, but the book – read so convincingly by Laga’aia – is even more special

 

A poetic blend of reality and myth provides a riveting tale of adventure and passion. # Laga’aia’s reading is excellent, including native words and phrases that fit flawlessly into the story ... This recording is highly recommended for its educational and cultural value.

 

Witi Ihimaera is prolific writer and editor in New Zealand. He is a three-time winner of New Zealand’s most prestigious literary prize, the Wattie Book of the Year Award and in 1994 he was awarded the Katherine Mansfield Fellowship. In 2004, Witi was named a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit —the highest honour in New Zealand. He now lives in Auckland teaching English and creative writing at the University of Auckland.

The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
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