Te Mere Mokena Potae Reedy

1. Te Mere Mokena Potae REEDY, illustrated by Samuel SAKARIA, Huia Press, Wellington NZ, 1999, 144 pages.
ISBN 1-877241-50-4

This novel, written in the Maori language, is the first volume of a trilogy, completed by Te Mura a Tangaroa (2000) and Te Whenua Kauruki (2001).
Three young cousins Hana, Te Ra and Morehu (and their dog) find themselves battling against the odds to keep hold of a vitally important greenstone mere (ceremonial club), which proves to have special powers. The children soon find themselves propelled through time and facing challenges in both past and present. Can they use their knowledge to save their friend and their iwi (tribe)?
Te Mere (The Club) was published by Huia for the New Zealand Ministry of Education. Its suggested reading level is primary and intermediate.

In Maori:
"Ka mumura te mere,
ka hikohiko te uira,
ka haruru te whaititiri,
ka pahu nga takirirangi mumura!
Aue hoki e!
Ka rerere nga tamariki kiri maia
nei ki tetehi haerenga miharo hoki,
tua atu i ta ratou moemoea"

Trevor Agnew