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The Whale Rider

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The Whale Rider

By: Witi Ihimaera
Narrated by: Witi Ihimaera
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About this listen

An international bestseller that was made into a multiple award-winning film.

Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather's love and attention. But he is focused on his duties as chief of a Maori tribe in Whangara, on the East Coast of New Zealand - a tribe that claims descent from the legendary 'whale rider'. In every generation since the whale rider, a male has inherited the title of chief. But now there is no male heir - there's only Kahu. She should be the next in line for the title, but her great-grandfather is blinded by tradition and sees no use for a girl.

Kahu will not be ignored. And in her struggle she has a unique ally: the whale rider himself, from whom she has inherited the ability to communicate with whales. Once that sacred gift is revealed, Kahu may be able to re-establish her people's ancestral connections, earn her great-grandfather's attention - and lead her tribe to a bold new future.

©2012 Witi Ihimaera (P)2023 Penguin Random House New Zealand Audio Coming of Age Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Magical Realism World Literature Magic
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An absolutely enthralling story with so many life lessons from te ao Maori. Ngā mihi nui

Brilliant

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I love Witi Ihimaera’s voice, so glad to have listened to this version, with Witi loving the emphasis on words he wanted, the Te Reo, inflections. Fantastic story, and I can picture the region he writes about.

Loved the narration

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.