Brave Kāhu and the Pōrangi Magpie

By Shelley Burne-Field

Reviewed by June Paisa Perkins

Shelley Burne-Field’s debut middle grade adventure children’s book is a triumphant shift from her accomplished poetry, article writing and creative non-fiction for older readers.  It is rich in language and cultural aspects drawn heavily from her Sāmoan, Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Rārua background as well as Pakeha.  The first of two middle grade books with Allen and Unwin, it is told mostly from the perspective of Poto, the Brave Kāhu / swamp harrier hawk with significant insights also into the makipai Tu’s view.

The story reveals the complex internal struggles of Poto trying to understand why Whetu, her sister, and Ari, her takiwatanga/ autistic brother, do not mourn the loss of their father as much as their mother, and whether to seek vengeance for the death of her mother.  Following a quest structure, Poto and other friends, including ground dweller birds, like the kiwi and weka, draw closer and closer to a battle with the Pōrangi/mad makipae, Tu while trying to make sure an injured Ari makes it to safety as an impending earthquake is on its way.  This is sensed through dreams and visions of their friend Nikau as well as Poto’s dreams.

The book uses many Māori words  that are usually obvious in meaning through context, or which can be looked up in the glossary at the back. In a recent interview Burne-Fields explained that she did not grow up with te reo, but worked on her knowledge in later years and wants to normalise its use in fiction.

She also explains how much she came to love the works of E. B. White and Tolkien through an amazing teacher at school. There is a rich fantastic element within this story, starting with the map at the beginning which firmly connects it to fantasy, where language is often invented, although in this case it draws on living language.

The richness and authenticity of the cultural inheritances of the author is equal to the intensity of the adventure. Tapping into the authentic and global themes of sibling rivalry and the triumph of love over hate readers familiar with the language and cultures the birds are placed in may read the book in a single sitting.  In a time where Moana 2 is being released in Māori language at its opening, it seems timely to have written texts that decentre English and its mythologies and foreground other ways of seeing the world.

The joy in this story is the rich characterisations of the birds who alternate between the birdlike qualities, conveyed with poetic delicacy, to recognisably human traits such as siblings working through perceptions of favouritism from parents.  For children who feel they do not quite fit, Ari is a delightful and unforgettable support character, who sometimes steals the show, not that Poto really minds.

Teachers and parents will find plenty of themes to discuss such as how to resolve and end conflict both within family and community,  rituals and resolution of grief,  how to value everyone in a team and the inspirations of the kaituhituhi / author.

Q&A with Shelley Burne-Field

Allen & Unwin Children’s NZ 2024 (Includes Activity Sheet, Reading Notes and Teaching Resources)