To Trap a Taniwha

Set in seventeenth-century Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, To Trap a Taniwha is an adventurous story centered around two cousins; Te Kawenga and Kakati and their treacherous journey to try and foil a plan they feel will bring retribution upon their hapū.

The language is rich in this story and te reo Māori is woven beautifully throughout. I enjoyed learning a few new bird names in te reo such Tōrea - Oyster Catcher.

There is lots of vocabulary that will stretch young readers, cacophony, palisade, iridescent, furrows and phosphorescence as examples.

There is a helpful glossary of the place names that are featured, however a glossary of all the te reo Māori would have been appreciated as there were a few words and phrases that I came up blank with when searching the Māori dictionary.

The cover image will ensure that this is a book that is picked up off the shelf, it is colourful, intriguing and interesting, there are also moody and emotion filled illustrations scattered throughout the book by Hemi Morehouse which add interest.

The author's note acknowledges that the story outline and places are taken from oral histories and this would springboard further discussions if used as a read aloud for a class.


Readers who like adventure and mythology would enjoy To Trap a Taniwha, and although it is not a large book, it has language that will stretch young readers too.

Do you have any advisory warnings for this book? No

Would this book work as a read aloud? Yes

Is there a particular part of the country that it’s set in? Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland