Kua KORE he MOA, e hoa

Kua KORE he MOA, e hoa is the second book by Melinda Szymanik about the Pekakiwi (Batkiwi) duo. Tuatara has seen what he believes is a moa and calls to Pekakiwi for help, however, Pekapeka and Kiwi know that there are no moa now. Tuatara calls for help three times, each time describing what he has seen. Each time Pekapeka and Kiwi doubt Tuatara’s account, until the final page when they receive physical proof.

The renowned Pania Papa has translated Melinda’s Szymanik’s story into te reo Māori. I enjoyed the taumata of the reo Māori used. Although there were some new kupu, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White’s illustrations support the reader to understand the story.

I particularly enjoyed her illustration of Moa which adds to the ambiguity of whether or not Moa is real. Kua KORE he MOA, e hoa will be a great resource for whānau who have some fluency in te reo Māori, particularly whānau who have tamariki in Kōhanga Reo or Kura Kaupapa. Adults will enjoy acting out the voices and adding to the debate between characters about whether (or not) Moa is real. This book will also be appreciated by Early Childhood Centres, Kōhanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa Māori and Reo Rumaki classrooms.

Kua KORE he MOA, e hoa is also available in English under the title: There are NO MOA, e hoa.