The Takahe is a large flightless native bird of New Zealand. It can be up to 3kg in weight and 50cm in height!

Takaehe Maths is the story of the Takahe over hundreds of years.

There once were thousands of this beautiful bird with its vibrant blue and green plumage and bright red beak. Then the first humans came…

The Takahe had never had to run and hide and couldn’t fly from the fearsome clubs and spears. Takahe numbers dropped rapidly.

More settlers came with sheep and rats and stoats. Subtract more Takahe.

Takahe had now learnt to hide away from the humans that hunted them. Add more Takahe?

More threats came, both animal and Nature herself subtracting more Takahe. Over a hundred years have passed since the first settlers came – are there any Takahe left?

Yes! There are a few left. We must save the Takahe!

A mix of history and maths lesson, this picture book also reads like a roller coaster of a ride as Takahe numbers rise and fall – even when humans realise they must save this beautiful New Zealand Native bird.

I was caught up in the fate of the Takahe. Will it survive? How many are left now? 

With up to date (2021) numbers of these Takahe and more information on the inside back cover of this picture book, more can be learnt about saving the Takahe. Internet links are provided for more in depth information.

Possible resource for a Read aloud project in the classroom with Maths, Conservation, Native Birds and NZ History.

Author – Julie Ellis

Illustrator – Isobel Te Aho-White

Picture Book (all ages)

Hear a Takahe call and learn more about the Takahe here

Find Teacher’s Notes and Activities here

(2021, Onetree House, New Zealand, NZ, NZ Flora and Fauna, Native Birds, NZ History, Dr Geoffrey Orbell, Department of Conservation, DOC, Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, Mathematics, Subtraction, Addition, Historical)