Notes
Stunning retelling of the Mori creation story about the separation of Ranginui, sky-father, and Papatnuku, earth-mother.Winner of the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year and Elsie Locke Non-Fiction AwardsWinner Best Children's Book, PANZ Book Design Awards 2023Te Wehenga is the separation of Ranginui, sky-father, and Papatnuku, earth-mother. Award-winning illustrator Mat Tait has written and illustrated this stunning retelling of the Mori creation story for a new generation.Te reo Mori and English are woven together in a seamless bilingual approach to the text, with the visceral illustrations powerfully underlining the mana of the story.Ko te Wehenga te krero m Ranginui te matua rua ko Papatnuku te whaea.Ko Mat Tait ttahi ringatoi kua whakawhiwhia ki ng tohu, , nna ng kupu, nna tonu ng whakaahua o te pukapuka taahua nei m te orokotmatanga o te ao, hei pnui m te reanga hou.Kua whiriwhiria te reo Mori me te reo Pkeh, e mm ai te whai haere i ng kupu, , ka whakatinanahia te mana o te krero e ng whakaahua e kaha hpai ana i ng kupu.'Tait's writing is poetic and full of wairua. He threads heart and feeling through the fabric of the book. These illustrations are like nothing I've seen before. They are simply stunning - moody, dark and dripping with meaning Te Wehenga is a masterpiece that is so much more than 'just a book'. It belongs on every bookshelf.' - Rebekah Fraser, NZ Book Lovers'In Te Wehenga, the art and the words are all Mat's, and the end result is an absolute treasure.' - Briar Lawry, The Sapling'Te Wehenga The Separation of Ranginui and Papatnuku is a bold and beautiful thing. It is all so very finely furious, so vigorously shown, it seems as sure a celebration of the body and also therefore of humanity itself. It is a triumph, a taonga, a treasure.'- S J Mannion, takah magazine'This is a book you must read and share and celebrate. The artwork is stunning, the interplay of languages is necessary, the gift of this book in the world immeasurable.' Paula Green, Poetry Box
