Ingoa (Name): Te Rina Kairau
Pukapuka (Book): Koro Wētā
Kaituhituhi (Author): Heather Haylock
Kaiwhakaahua (Illustrator): Sarah Trolle
Kaiwhakamāori (Translator): Ngairo Eruera
Momo (Genre): Children’s picture book
Whakaaro (Thoughts):
E aroha ana au i ōku kamupūtu – I love my gumboots.
Ever found something surprising inside your gumboot? Well, wait until you meet Koro Wētā—he wētā tino nui, he hūkokikoki ia, he ahua anuanu ia. The BIG, grumpy and slightly ugly wētā who takes up residence in a kamupūtu!
Heather Haylock’s story is full of heart, humour, and clever problem-solving, like when the child stuffs paper and stinky socks into his gumboots to keep the wētā out. Sarah Trolle’s bold, lively illustrations bring the adventure to life with energy and fun.
Ko te mea tino whakahirahira ki ahau, ko te reo e rua. Koro Wētā, translated by Ngairo Eruera, is a fun, bilingual story we are excited to share during our kura (school) visits—a great way to bring te reo Māori into the classroom in a relatable and engaging way.
Koro Wētā goes beyond storytelling with an engaging section called “What’s So Wonderful About Wētā?”, offering fascinating insights about Aotearoa’s native Wētā. A perfect blend of fun and learning.
Humorous, clever, and full of aroha, Koro Wētā is a true taonga—a bilingual treasure that brings language, learning, and laughter together in a way that’s perfect for tamariki, kaiako, and whānau to share.