Whakarongo KI ō Tūpuna: Listen to Your Ancestors

Description:

Kia toa, e hine mā, e tama mā, kia kaua hoki koutou e whakamā.
Me waiata koutou ki ngā manu o tō koutou tūpuna, o Tāne-mahuta.
Be bold now, girls and boys, it's no time to be shy.
Sing to the birds of your ancestor, The Great Forest.

This poignant story is set in a school and then rest home environment, following the life lessons passed from a teacher to her pupils, and aligning these with the example set by Māori gods and ancestors.

As the story unfolds the teacher ages and retires, and we see the beautiful and caring relationship between 'Nan' and her granddaughter.

Nan passes away; we are reminded of the circular nature of life as her granddaughter begins to teach her own pupils lessons from the ancestors.

Brief description: Darryn Joseph (Ngāti Maniapoto) is a senior lecturer in Māori language at Massey University, Palmerston North, and the author of more than 23 books, mainly for Māori immersion education. Darryn is a trustee of Storylines and was a judge for the 2018 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.