The Whale Rider
by Witi Ihimaera

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Book Reviews of The Whale Rider

Book Review: A Fight between Tradition and Change
Summary: 4 Stars

Director: Niki Caro
Film Company: Apollomedia
Based on the novel by Witi Ihimaera

Rated PG (Australia)

A most inspiring coming of age movie that will reach the hearts of all viewers...

Set in the beautiful coastal town of Whangara in New Zealand, and based on ancient Maori traditions, this film is a brilliant combination of new age ideas and cultural traditions.
Beliefs passed down through the Maori people's history say the chief of their ancestors, Paikea, came to New Zealand on the back of a whale from their home of Hawaiki. For thousand of years, a male decedent to the chief succeeds to be the leader of the people.

When the currents chiefs' son Porouranji (Cliff Curtis) does not appear to be the one destined to be the new leader, Koro (Rawiri Paratene) looks to his son's unborn child.
Twin children were born, but in a strange twist of fate, the boy and the mother die in childbirth, leaving the young female child, Paikea (Keisha Castle-Hughes). Paikea's father, distraught from the tragedy, moved over seas, leaving his culture and his daughter behind him. Paikea was left with her grandparents. And so the long line of male chiefs had been broken.

Paikea dearly loved her paka (grandfather), and although he was affectionate towards her, he was reluctant to accept her. She was not the grandson he had wanted.

When the town began to suffer misfortunes, he blamed Pai, believing the ancestors were displeased. He gathered all the first-born boys of the town and began a school to teach them the ancient traditions of being a chief. Pai, being a female, was not permitted to learn, but through her extraordinary strength and determination, found ways to learn.

Eventually, through Paikea's courage, her self belief and a near tragedy, Koro realises that he's prejudices must be put aside for the better of the people and continued existence of their way of life and traditions.

This amazing cultural/traditional Drama is an excellent display of photography, and the lack of excessive special effects makes it all the more remarkable. Music in the film is a mixture of atmospheric enhancing sound and traditional Maori music.

It is really a touching story, breathtaking to viewers of all kinds.

Run time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Multigenerational Books

• Books > Subjects > Children's Books > Social Situations > Family Life
• Literature & Fiction
• Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature
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