Te Hiakai Tangata The Taniwha of Tuarā-Ragaia

I read the 2022 English edition of Te Hiakai Tangata, and thought how precious this book from 1999 must be for readers of the Bay of Plenty. In ancient times thwarting a taniwha took the coordinated effort of all hapū of Ngāti Awa. From Warahoe to Kawerau, and all along the coast including Matatā and Te Kaha, people wondered how to outwit this wily monster.

This book is 125 pages of amazing, lush, heightened English which makes the story suspenseful and terrifying. Ear-catching and playful words remind me of traditional oral storytelling. This would make a great audiobook. It’s like Beowulf. I can imagine teachers using this story as a springboard for literacy skills, creative writing, drama and drawing. I’d love to see students pretend to be tui who repeat words at random.

I teach Year 9 Social Studies, and I will read Te Hiakai Tangata as a treat at the end of the period. Before I do this, I’ll pinch words from the Māori edition, especially the incantations and insults.