All things Maori
The Maori words for "yeah, yeah"
What is 'te mea the mea'?
Nani Flowers refers to the seven boys koro is teaching at Maori school as "contenders," and says that one will be this. She is making a cultural reference to a famous fictitious boxer.
What is "Rocky of Whangara"?
"Putting the plantation back on its feet was a challenge which the countryside really threw at us" is an example of this literary device.
What is personification?
This word refers to an object believed to bring good luck or protection, like a shrine placed in honor of the "guardians."
What is a talisman?
This word describes a state of calm, peacefulness—like a quiet ocean at dawn before the whales appear
What is serene?
"Haumi e, hui e, taiki e" is a Maori phase repeated in the novel that translates to, "to come together, to gather" and this phrase.
What is "let it be done"?
While at a reception, Rawiri hears Jeff's mom compare Rawiri to these animals: "You know our Jeff, always bringing home ____."
What are dogs and strays?
This simile: "There were stars in her eyes, like sparkling tears," refers to this character after this situation.
What is Kahu after Koro does not show up to her school ceremony.
Meaning ancient or from the earliest ages of the world, like the paths through the ocean that only the ancient bull whale knows.
What is primeval?
To push, squeeze, or press something—often to increase speed—is to do this, as when someone might speed up a boat or car.
What is throttle?
A sacred, communal space and the center of Māori life where the meeting house is located. This is also where Kahu's birth cord is buried.
What is a marae?
This is the reason Nani Flowers says not to tell Koro about Kahu retrieving the stone from the ocean.
What is "he's not ready yet"?
The line: "For the first time in all the years of his leadership, the ancient whale deviated from his usual primeval route." signals this later event.
What is foreshadowing a similar break in tradition / need for new approaches to leadership in Whangara?
This word means supreme ruler or highest authority—much like the respect granted to the ancestor Pahia.
What is sovereign?
Highly detailed, delicate, lace-like decoration, usually done with metal wire, is known by this term
What is Filigree?
Nani Flowers' real name. Also the name given to Kahu's new baby sister.
What is Putiputi
This is what Rawiri thinks to himself after "hissing" at Jeff and his parents "Let me out. That's no native out there. That's Bernard." A phrase he says often when referring to close Maori friends and family.
What is "a cous is a cous"?
This can be described as mythical and poetic in the italicized chapters from the narrative point of view of the whales.
What is the tone?
To reduce someone’s worth or make them feel unimportant is to do this.
What is belittle?
Meaning spotted or marked with patches of different colors, this word describes sunlight filtering through trees or over the ocean’s surface.
What is dappled?
An ancestor of Nani Flowers, this chief says, "No you sit down! I am a senior line to yours!" and then crudely reminds the other chief that all men are born of women.
Who is Mihi Kotukutuku?
Nani wrote this word on the bottom of the letter that Kahu wrote to Rawiri to express her irritation with his long absence from Whangara.
What is "Bang"?
Rawiri mistaking Kahu for this animal while he is searching for her in the sea, is a symbol of this.
What is a stingray and Kahu's profound connection to the sea?
This word can mean a cloak of authority or a symbolic responsibility—much like the leadership role passed down in Kahu’s lineage.
What is Mantle?
This word, when used as a noun, is a disorderly situation or collection of things, like it was for the whales during the nuclear testing in the Tuamotu Archipelago.
What is pell-mell?