Search for a Kiwi Killer

by Des Hunt

Kerikeri is kiwi country. There the flightless birds live in common places like farms, sides of roads, and pine forests. That’s why the law says all dogs must be on a lead.When dead kiwi are found in nearby Waitangi forest, it becomes clear that someone is ignoring that law. A kiwi killer is on the prowl. Suspects are many. As the death toll increases so too do the cries for dogs to be shot.Young Tom Smart has an injured pig dog he rescued from the forest. He can’t believe she could be the killer, but others do. There is only one way Tom can save her, and that is to find the real killer, which means confronting a man who will do anything to protect his secrets.

168 pages, Paperback

About the author

Des Hunt was a science and technology teacher for many years, interspersed with periods of curriculum development both in New Zealand and overseas. During this time he had several textbooks published to support the New Zealand curriculum. In recent years he has looked at other ways of interesting youngsters in science, creating computer games and writing non-fiction and fiction with scientific themes.

After living in Auckland for much of his life he moved with his wife, Lynne, to Matarangi on New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula. He retired from the classroom in 2007 to concentrate on writing fiction for children. He continues his aims of fostering young peoples’ natural interest in the science of their surroundings by visiting schools and libraries where he runs workshops and presentations.

Reviews

[Sheryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a few of Des Hunt’s novels and I’ve liked them all, but this is my fav so far.
The story is about a boy from a split family, and he’s left to his own devices a lot of the time. He finds running helps him cope, so he runs through the forest. Kiwi’s are being found dead from dog attacks and then he comes across and injured pig dog. Is it the killer? Who does it belong to? Kiwi killers are ‘put down’, but he has grown attached to it.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Des Hunt is a real kiwi taonga. He writes beautiful, simple stories, set in a real NZ environment. They are uncomplicated and they usually have an environmental message weaved carefully through them.

Tom Smart is staying with his dad in Kerikeri, Northland, when he comes across a dead kiwi which has clearly been killed by a dog. He starts to investigate further and uncovers a web of lies and deceit - whilst also falling in love with a dog he finds along the way.

This book could be used as a poster-child for the saying Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover... which is NOT a good advert for the book itself!

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids at my school are excited to read this, an account of a lonely boy battling to defend a stray dog he has fallen in love with from being put down as a kiwi killer. Reasonably fast paced, think this will be popular with rural NZers.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Des Hunt writes wonderful books for primary-intermediate aged children. He combines adventure with ecology and conservation. A great read

[Coral Smith]

Great NZ tale
Kiwi birds are turning up dead- whose responsible? Follow along with Tom as he tries to find out who the Kiwi killer is. A page turner right till the last page.

[Fred C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great Des Hunt read

[Toni McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing little book that I was recommended in connection with my role as Reading Teacher in a NZ secondary school. A little formulaic but I am interested in learning about NZ flora and fauna