Nan is a haka freak. No, not the haka the All Blacks perform before a game of rugby. Nan is a HUGE kapa haka fan. In fact she used to be
pretty good at it herself.
Every year Nan gets all her mokopuna (grandchildren) ready, and her and Koro take them to The Greatest Haka Festival on Earth – Matatini!
There is packing to be done, kai (food) to be sorted, and sleeping bags rolled up. Excitement is building. When they reach the venue where the competition is to be held, there is a powhiri (welcome), the best viewing spot to be scoped out, and preparation for a very early morning start.
Everywhere they go, Nan knows everyone. Waiting for the gates to open, while they’re checking out the stalls of goodies and all through the festival – Nan knows even more people and performers. There are three more days of riveting performances. Who will make the final?
The last day is the most exciting of all. Not only does Nan show her own kapa haka skills, she hasn’t let on she knows someone truly special on stage too!
The author is a self-confessed kapa haka geek who takes the reader through the build-up and excitement of an annual family trip to The Greatest Haka Festival on Earth.
All throughout the packing, the powhiri and preparation for the first day of competition, the enthusiasm and anticipation of this family trip bounces off the pages. There’s lots going on in each colourful illustration, and I enjoyed looking for the twins to see what they were up to. I particularly loved the illustration of the tumultuous rush of the crowd running for the best spot to watch the competition.
A glossary in the back of the book is not just a list like some you may find. This glossary explains some slang used, some te reo and common terms children may not have heard yet or had explained: and like me, just might make you laugh out loud.
This bright, fun picture book made me want to go to a kapa haka festival myself.
Author – Pania Tahau-Hodges
Illustrator – Story Hemi-Morehouse
Picture Book
Also available in Māori as Mokopuna Matatini
See another picture book illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse (Click on the Cover)
(2021, Huia Publishers, Māori, Kapa Haka, Dance, Festival, Show, Competition, Family, Whanau, Excitement, Fun, Culture, Aotearoa, NZ, New Zealand, Humour)