Pūrākau (Tamariki)

Pūrākau are the myths, legends, ancient stories, and 'embellished histories' that make up a large part of the Māori storytelling tradition. These are some of our favourite pukapuka for tamariki featuring pūrākau - some are written in te reo Māori, others in te reo Ingarihi (English).

Updated June 23, 2024
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Ma?ui's taonga tales : a treasury of stories from Aotearoa and the Pacific
Paper Book
Aimed at children aged seven to eleven, this book's lively stories tell thetales of some of the taonga held at Aotearoa New Zealand's famous nationalmuseum, Te Papa, through appealing text and fantastic illustrations.The book's pukorero, or story teller, is Maui, the great Pacific hero and trickster...
Ta?ne me a?na tamariki
Bacon, Ron
Paper Book
These 10 page books by Ron Bacon and Manu Smith, retell classic Maori myths of Aotearoa, with colourful illustations, and with Re Reo Maori text on the left page, and the English translation on the right. From Waiatarua Publishing, published in 2010.
Atua : Ma?ori gods and heroes
Bishop, Gavin
Paper Book
Meet the gods, demigods and heroes of the Maori people of Aotearoa in this breathtaking, large-scale illustrated book for children. Margaret Mahy Book of the Year 2022 Elsie Locke Award for Non-fiction 2022 Russell Clark Award for Illustration 2022 ...
Taming the sun : four Ma?ori myths
Bishop, Gavin
Paper Book
Four classic Maori myths beautifully retold with stunning illustrations by award winner Gavin Bishop. Taming the Sun contains four stories, including two well-known legends (Maui And The Sun and Maui And The Big Fish) and two less well-known legends (Rona And The Moon and...
Ma?ui me te ahi a Mahuika
Bixley, Donovan
Paper Book
Donovan Bixley re-tells the story of how Maui captured the secret of fire. The traditional tale but with Donovan's unique twist and trademark humour. The pictures are bright and bring their own level of humour to the book. Darryn Joseph and Keri Opai ensure that the story is accurate and culturally...
Te pakanga a nga? maunga = Battle of the mountains
Gossage, Peter
Paper Book
Gossage's classic retelling of the Maori myth of Mt Taranaki, Mt Tauhara and Mt Pūtauaki is now available in a bilingual Maori-English edition, translated by Hēni Jacob. Me pakanga a Tongariro ki ētahi atu maunga kaha e toru, ki a Taranaki, ki a Tauhara, ki a Pū...
I te ti?matanga = In the beginning
Gossage, Peter
Paper Book
"The creation myth of Mori legend is simply told in Peter Gossagés vibrant style. Bold design and brief text recount the struggle of the children of Ranginui and Papat¿±nuku as they try to part their parents and bring light to the world. The reader is introduced to each of the children (Mori gods)...
Hineahuone
Hall, Xoe?
Paper Book
Tane Mahuta created the many wonders of nature that surround us today, but humanlife eludes him. As he sculpts the form of a woman from the scared red earth of Papatuanuku, Tane Mahuta cant begin to imagine what he is about to discover and all the beauty it beholds.
Together in love : a legend of Matariki
Hall, Xoe?
Paper Book
"The loving embrace of Ranginui and Papatuanuku keeps the land in constant darkness. When their children discover there is light beyond their parents love, chaos is unleased and the stars of Matariki are created"--Back cover. Based on the traditional story.
Pu?ra?kau
Kahukiwa, Robyn
Paper Book
3 fictional stories, containing elements of traditional Mori tales.
Ng? atua : M?ori gods
Kahukiwa, Robyn.
Paper Book
A book to treasure for young and old, Robyn Kahukiwa's Ngā Atua: Māori Gods takes the reader on a beautiful visual journey while imparting simple and effective explanations of the major Māori gods. Robyn introduces the pantheon of Māori gods, and...
Ko Ta?whaki-nui-a-Hema : a?na mahi whakahirahira
Mead, Sidney M
Paper Book
"Recalls the miraculous life of Twhaki. Similar to Mui, Twhaki was a demigod who possessed mighty powers. Twhaki almost died at the hands of his brothers-in-law but was found by his wife Hine-piripiri and revived. This near-death experience revealed Twhakís status as a demigod, and from this point...
Ngake me Wha?taitai
Ngaia, Ben
Paper Book
"A traditional story told in te reo Mori from the perspective of the Khui Maunga people about Ngake and Whtaitai. These two taniwha inhabited Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington Harbour, long before the ancestral migrations. The story tells how the shape and landscape of Wellington, its harbour and the...
Swim : the story of Hinemoa and Tu?ta?nekai
Szekely, Chris
Paper Book
In the legend, Hinemoa lives by Lake Rotorua and Tutanekai on the island, Mokoia. Hinemoa falls in love when Tutanekai plays the flute, but Hinemoa's father considers him unsuitable. They vow to be together, and every night on the island,Tutanekai plays his flute to guide Hinemoa to him. With no...
Te Wehenga : the separation of Ranginui and Papatu?a?nuku
Tait, Mat
Paper Book
Stunning retelling of the Māori creation story about the separation of Ranginui, sky-father, and Papatūānuku, earth-mother.
Myths & legends of Aotearoa : 15 timeless tales of New Zealand
Te Ake Ake, Annie Rae
Paper Book
Fifteen timeless and essential Maori myths and legends are retold by gifted storyteller Annie Rae Te Ake Ake in this stunning, one-of-a-kind treasury. Illustrated by young Kiwi artists, this classic collection is a testament to the many and vibrant cultures of Aotearoa past, present and future.
Nga? taniwha i Te Whanga-nui-a-tara
Wairama, Moira
Paper Book
Moira Wairama's stunning Maori-language retelling of the legend about two taniwha and Wellington Harbour, with illustrations by Bruce Potter. E noha ana e rua nga taniwha i tetahi roto kanapanapa. Kei te pirangi a Ngake kia haere ki Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa engari kei te pirangi...
The taniwha of Wellington Harbour
Wairama, Moira
Paper Book
Discover the dramatic legend of how Wellington Harbour was created. Whataitai and Ngake are two taniwha who live in a beautiful lake. But one day Ngake breaks free to the ocean and leaves his friend behind. His actions have far-reaching consequences that shape the...
Tangaroa's gift = Te koha a? Tangaroa
Whaanga, Mere
Paper Book
Once there lived a sad and lonely sea creature named Paua. Mighty Tangaroa, the god of the sea, felt sorry for Paua and decided to give him a special gift.
Te Uruuru Whenua o Nga?toroirangi
Winitana, Chris
Paper Book
"This is the story of the arrival of Ngtoroirangi in Aotearoa and his exploration of the landscape and subduing of kaitiaki, such as the guardian of Tarawera, Tamaohoi; the guardian of water on Kaingaroa, Torepatutai; and the King of the Patupaiarehe, fairy folk, Riri¿. This adventure story traces...

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