Names
The "endearing" name that Kahu calls her grandfather
What is Paka?
Only Nani Flowers, Rawiri and the boys know where this is buried - a practice meant to connect a newborn with their ancestral land.
What is Kahu's birth cord?
Kahu's uncle and the narrator of the story
Who is Rawiri?
This word means lively energy or spirited enthusiasm, something often seen in the joy of nature in the Prologue.
What is vivacity?
This word means the highest point—like the peak of a wave or sky.
What is apex?
When Kahu is a baby, her face is compared to this sea creature
What is a dolphin?
The form taken by the "life-giving forces" brought by Kahutia Te Rangi.
What are spears?
Kahu's father and future leader of the tribe.
Who is Porourangi?
This word describes someone who is firm, loyal, and unwavering, much like the ancient traditions the tribe tries to maintain.
What is steadfast?
This word describes juicy, tender, or rich natural plant life.
What is succulent?
The name of the town / community where Kahu's birth cord is buried
What is Whangara?
The priest told Koro Apirana to bite this as a final part of his training.
What is his big toe?
Kahu's mother, who is from the same tribe as Nani Flowers
Who is Rehua?
This word means reluctant or given unwillingly, like giving praise only when necessary.
What is grudging?
This word means to search widely for food or provisions, something animals in the story often do.
What is forage?
To commemorate his voyage on the back of the bull whale to New Zealand, Kahutia Te Rangi, is given this other name
What is Paikea?
Man began to lose this power as he "grew away from his godliness"
What is the ability to talk to whales?
An ancestor of Nani Flowers, who saved her people and said "now I shall make myself a man"
Who is Muriwai?
This word describes someone who feels sorry or repentant for their actions.
What is penitent?
This word describes shimmering, rainbow-like colors.
What is iridescent?
This original homeland, mentioned in the Prologue, is the place from which Paikea began his journey
What is Hawaiki?
The number of years Paikea's final spear took to "flower" when it was most needed
What is 1,150 years? ("It flew across a thousand years. When it hit the earth it did not change but waited for another hundred and fifty years to pass until it was needed.")
The full name of the ancestor that Kahu is named after
Who is Kahutia Te Rangi?
This word means acting suddenly, without thinking, like making a quick or reckless decision.
What is impetuously?
This word means to grow or expand rapidly. In the story it is used to describe the passing of time.
What is burgeon? ("As the years had burgeoned the happiness of those days was like a siren call to the ancient bull whale")