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The Whale Rider (New Windmills)
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1780
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About the author
Witi Ihimaera
72 books356 followersWiti Ihimaera is a novelist and short story writer from New Zealand, perhaps the best-known Māori writer today. He is internationally famous for The Whale Rider.
Ihimaera lives in New Zealand and is of Māori descent and Anglo-Saxon descent through his father, Tom. He attended Church College of New Zealand in Temple View, Hamilton, New Zealand. He was the first Māori writer to publish both a novel and a book of short stories. He began to work as a diplomat at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1973, and served at various diplomatic posts in Canberra, New York, and Washington, D.C. Ihimaera remained at the Ministry until 1989, although his time there was broken by several fellowships at the University of Otago in 1975 and Victoria University of Wellington in 1982 (where he graduated with a BA).[1] In 1990, he took up a position at the University of Auckland, where he became Professor, and Distinguished Creative Fellow in Māori Literature. He retired from this position in 2010.
In 2004, his nephew Gary Christie Lewis married Lady Davina Windsor, becoming the first Māori to marry into the British Royal Family.
Ihimaera lives in New Zealand and is of Māori descent and Anglo-Saxon descent through his father, Tom. He attended Church College of New Zealand in Temple View, Hamilton, New Zealand. He was the first Māori writer to publish both a novel and a book of short stories. He began to work as a diplomat at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1973, and served at various diplomatic posts in Canberra, New York, and Washington, D.C. Ihimaera remained at the Ministry until 1989, although his time there was broken by several fellowships at the University of Otago in 1975 and Victoria University of Wellington in 1982 (where he graduated with a BA).[1] In 1990, he took up a position at the University of Auckland, where he became Professor, and Distinguished Creative Fellow in Māori Literature. He retired from this position in 2010.
In 2004, his nephew Gary Christie Lewis married Lady Davina Windsor, becoming the first Māori to marry into the British Royal Family.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 19, 2025
GCSE book… ☹️
February 8, 2026
It is really interesting. Was, at first, not too interested in the book as it was assigned as a class reading; however, it is so interesting. Loved how they intertwined past, present, future, nature and human fates. Would recommend if you are a person who enjoys books that are both entertaining but you love to learn about culture as well.
August 26, 2025
Absolutely loved this story which combines Māori legends of the creation of the earth with current day.
A beautiful read.
A beautiful read.
November 24, 2025
GCSE 😰😰😰😰
January 1, 2026
a lot of ppl didnt like it and yeah its mid it's got gcse but I got a good grade from it soooo 4 stars :>
December 22, 2025
Saddest book I ever read
November 21, 2024
✧･ﾟ✿ * ✿ ･ﾟ✧
score card:
plot: 4/5
characters: 4/5
world/setting: 5/5
pacing: 3/5
enjoyment: 4/5
total: 4/5 ☆｡･ﾟ
✧･ﾟ✿ * ✿ ･ﾟ✧
score card:
plot: 4/5
characters: 4/5
world/setting: 5/5
pacing: 3/5
enjoyment: 4/5
total: 4/5 ☆｡･ﾟ
✧･ﾟ✿ * ✿ ･ﾟ✧
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews