Kingi McKinnon

About a family (Maori) who return back to the country where the family (mother's family) homestead (whare) is. The old whare is very rundown and the mother has great plans for it to be done up so that they can live in it. Her son Rewi has other feelings and hates the place as he can feel the spirits of his ancestors in every nook and cranny. As the book progresses, Rewi begins to have nightmares and very strange feelings about the place. An owl (morepork - ruru) begins to hoot outside, this is an omen to Maori that all is not well. rewi also realises that his worst fears are coming true, that the place is haunted by an old Maori Tohunga and he has left a mataku (curse on the place) His younger sister Megan, becomes very ill and is rushed to hospital and doctors cannot tell what is wrong with her, but Rewi knows it is the curse of the tohunga. Rewi realises that he needs to tell his father of his foreboding and they set about hunting for the dead remains of the tohunga. They are found, just as Rewi suspected and the remains are blessed and a tangi (funeral) held. Megan, regains her health and normality returns. You may need to have an understanding of Maori culture to enjoy this book.… (más)