A novel for ages 10 and up by Witi Ihimaera (Maori), Harcourt Books, San Diego, 2003; 160 pages, $8 paperbound
Reviewed by Debra Utacia Krol (Salinan/Esselen)
The Whale Rider, originally published in 1987 and the inspiration for the award-winning film Whale Rider, has finally made its way from New Zealand across Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, or the Great Ocean of Kiwa, to the Americas.
Koro Apirano, chief of Whangara, is in a quandary. Maori custom decrees that a male must succeed him as leader. Yet he has only granddaughters, including the determined Kahu, to carry on the leadership after a 1,000-year tradition of sons. Koro soundly rejects Kahu, who nevertheless continues her effort to win his respect and learn the Maori ways.
But when the ancient whale that brought Kahu’s ancestor and namesake to New Zealand reappears on Whangara’s beach, Kahu must use her gift of communicating with humankind’s partners of old to rescue the whale, take her rightful place as the future chief and bring new life and hope to the Maori people.
The enthralling tale of love, rejection, prejudice and the collision of ancient custom with modern realities, coupled with Ihimaera’s evocative prose and the rich delineation of the Mao creation stories, will make you yearn to book the next flight to Auckland.
With this compelling material to draw upon, it’s no wonder the film version has garnered so many awards, including a nomination for Best Actress Oscar this year for Keisha Castle-Hughes (Ngati Porou/Tainui/Ngapuhi), the now 14-year-old actress who plays Kahu (called Pai in the movie).
