Tuna raua ko Hiriwa (Tuna and Hiriwa)

Author(s): Ripeka Takotowai Goddard

Picture Books | Children's Fiction | Maori Fiction

This picture book, in te reo Maori , tells the story of how the tuna got its silver belly but forever had to live in the dark depths of the river. Tuna is in awe of a nymph, Hiriwa, that glows and dances along the river bank in the moonlight. Night after night he meets the nymph and basks in the moonlight, hoping that he will also glow, but he remains the same. Disappointed, he hatches a plan to take the nymph's light. But the moon sees what Tuna does, and in her anger, she prevents Tuna from swimming in her moonlight ever again.


Product Information

Shortlisted for the Te Kura Pounamu Award for Te Reo Maori at the NZ Book Awards for Children & Young Adults 2017

Ripeka Takotowai Goddard is a student and a writer. Tuna and Hiriwa is her first picture book, and it is based on traditions she learned about eeling.

General Fields

  • : 9781775502265
  • : Huia Publishers
  • : Huia Publishers
  • : September 2016
  • : 254mm X 228mm
  • : New Zealand
  • : October 2016
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Ripeka Takotowai Goddard
  • : Hardback
  • : Kimberly Andrews
  • : Maori
  • : 899.4423
  • : 32
  • : 19 colour illustrations