Tamanui: Te Kōkako Mōrehu o Taranaki

Written by Rebecca Byer and Linley Wellington | illustrated by Andrew Burdan

This is the Māori language version of Tamanui: the Brave Kōkako of Taranaki.

The Taranaki forest is changing, and kōkako are finding it difficult to get food and protect their chicks. Rats and possums are raiding nests, taking chicks and eggs, and the kōkako Tamanui has lost his brothers and sisters.

In the quiet forest, Tamanui hears a kōkako call, but flying towards it, he is caught in a net. Taken to Mount Bruce, he adapts to a new environment, raises chicks and becomes important in the survival of the kōkako. Based on a true story, Tamanui is displayed at Puke Ariki, New Plymouth.

A well-written, in-depth tale about the journey of the kōkako.