The Bone Tiki

David Hair’s first novel has been written for young adults. It is a skillful blend of fantasy and New Zealand mythology, intertwining the Māori and Pakeha world’s of both the present day and during the New Zealand Wars. Matiu Douglas has stolen a bone tiki from a tangi in order to protect it from the evil tohunga who wants it. Mat is forced to flee for his life through the bush. He encounters a girl called Pania, and along with a long-dead warrior, Wiri, a girl-clown called Kelly and an unusual dog, must journey to the top of North Island to Cape Reinga and the pohutukawa tree where, according to legend, the spirits of the dead depart. Creatures from legend are being summoned to help with the chase, during which Mat and his friends show more face otherworldly terrors from parallel worlds and Mat discovers the power he holds within as well as the culture he knew virtually nothing about.

The author has brought Maori mythology alive in a gripping and fast-paced fantasy adventure. I was impressed by the blend of Maori and Pakeha cultures, legends and tikanga and how the characters worked together against a common enemy. I would highly recommend this amazing tale. Well written, well researched and thoroughly enjoyable. show less

New Zealand teenager Mat is living with his father since his parents split and his mom moved to another town. Mat isn't happy about being left with his father, a tough Maori lawyer who seems to have gotten involved with a client so frightening that even Mat's dad is afraid of him. The client, a reclusive, elderly Maori who was banned by his tribe many years ago, is demanding a tiki carved from human bone, one that was promised to Mat upon the death of its owner.
Mat, along with some magical friends, go on the run across New Zealand's beaches, forests and mountains. Through his escape, Mat learns more of his own Maori culture and mythology. Lots of action and suspense, along with mythology.

I can see this being en enjoyable adventure for teens. It is certainly an introduction to New Zealand and the Maori culture and the settings were familiar from my own travels.
Mat lives with his father following his parents separation. At the opening of this book, he is waiting to attend a tangi - (Maori funeral) with his father. His father is a defense lawyer and represents criminals and gang members. Mat overhears a phone conversation and realises that someone is attempting to claim a tiki from the deceased person that is rightfully his. Mat removes the carving from the deceased and is pursued by his father's client.
The chase goes from Napier through the Waikato to the Far North of New Zealand. The tiki has powers which allow him to show more travel back in time to the early years in NZ and it can also summon up the Maori warrior, from whose Shoulder blade the tiki was carved.
An easy, enjoyable read. show less

I never got fully into this as it is more targeted at a YA audience. It is however well-written and pacy, and I liked the Aotearoa concept that features more as the book goes on, although a couple of anachronisms pulled me out of the story.

Half-Maori teenager Matiu Douglas is inspired to steal a tiki to save it from the clutches of a powerful but evil sorcerer. This is a wonderfully complex YA novel about a fairly normal subject (supernatural battle of good vs. evil), but (for most of us) it has a very different spin as it is all based on Maori myth and legend. The characters (human and supernatural) are all engaging if not entirely easy to identify with. I have to admit that I had a hard time following along in places because I know very little (nothing, really) about Maori myth, but I can't fault the book for that. So, I will be reading up on my mythology before continuing the series.

Mat feels compelled to take a tiki from an old Maori woman whom he hardly knows and so he is launched into a terrifying flight to release the spirit of the Maori warrior that has been trapped in the tiki by an evil Tohunga. Action packed, fast moving and slightly far fetched but an exciting and worthwhile read.

Based in two worlds New Zealand and the other world Aotearoa, this is a book for teens which sort of grips you. It is not a fast read - you can out it down but it is a book that you want to finish reading to see what happens. The first book in a trilogy.