Ngā waituhi o Rēhua / nā Katerina Te Heikōkō Mataira

This science fantasy novel in te reo Maori follows four teenagers living on Rehua, a planet settled after Earth is destroyed by ecological disasters and global war. The four raise hokio, giant mystical birds, which take them on flights to explore their new world. On one flight, they discover an island with another colony of people, and here, they are given a quest to interpret hieroglyphic messages drawn on cave walls. Deciphering these symbols leads them to appease the feared tipua wheke, a gargantuan octopus, and help the Turehu, fair-skinned sea fairies, who have discovered a way to return to Earth. "Follows four teenagers living on Rēhua, a planet settled after Earth is destroyed by ecological disasters and global war. The four raise hōkio, giant mystical birds, which take them on flights to explore their new world. On one flight, they discover an island with another colony of people and are given a quest to interpret a message drawn on cave walls. Deciphering the symbols leads them to appease a gargantuan octopus and help the Tūrehu, fair-skinned sea fairies, who have discovered a way to return to Earth"--Publisher information. Science fiction interwoven with Māori legend, mythology, and culture, with themes of peace, resolution, and care for the environment. Winner of the New Zealand Post Book Awards Māori Language prize in 2013 This science fantasy novel in te reo Mori follows four teenagers living on Rhua, a planet settled after Earth is destroyed by ecological disasters and global war. The four raise hkio, giant mystical birds, which take them on flights to explore their new world. On one flight, they discover an island with another colony of people, and here, they are given a quest to interpret hieroglyphic messages drawn on cave walls. Deciphering these symbols leads them to appease the feared tipua wheke, a gargantuan octopus, and help the Trehu, fair-skinned sea fairies, who have discovered a way to return to Earth. Winner of the 2013 NZ Post Mori Language Book Award and the 2013 LIANZA Te Tohu Pounamu award. "Follows four teenagers living on Rēhua, a planet settled after Earth is destroyed by ecological disasters and global war. The four raise hōkio, giant mystical birds, which take them on flights to explore their new world, On one flight, they discover an island with another colony of people and are given a quest to interpret a message drawn on cave walls. Deciphering the symbols leads them to appease a gargantuan octopus and help the Tūehu, fair-skinned sea fairies, who have discovered a way to return to Earth"--Publisher information. Suggested level: intermediate, secondary