Launch of the HAKA!
The story behind the world's most famous haka is being launched at Te Papa, Wellington on Friday 11th September 2015.
Written by distinguished author Patricia Grace, the children's book HAKA! along with the te reo Māori editionWhiti Te Ra! was produced in association with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Toa and HUIA Publishers and tells the story of the great Ngāti Toa
chief Te Rauparaha and how he came to compose the haka 'Ka Mate, Ka Mate'.
‘We are honoured to have Patricia write the story for us’ says HUIA Publishers director Eboni Waitere. ‘We hope the fact
that it has been produced as a children’s story creates a wide audience not only for the story of the haka but for Te
Rauparaha and the history surrounding these events. We’d also like to thank Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Toa Rangatira for their
support to be able to produce this important story’.
The books have been illustrated by award-winning illustrator Andrew Burdan who along with illustrating other children’s
stories has previously storyboarded for films District 9, Aliens in the Attic and Without a Paddle.
The book launch starts at 2.00pm followed by a reading and book-signing with Patricia Grace.
ENDS