The Whale Rider

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 Māori 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.

ISBN: 9780143011392 | Published: 27 November 2008 (first published 1987) | Paperback | 192 pages
ISBN: 9781776950669 | Published: 1 August 2023 | Paperback | 192 pages