Maketu Tuna by Werohia - Mr Tuna, the Eel of all Eels presides over the Kaituna River in Maketu. He is a slippery, slimy creature who only thinks about succulent fat morsels inside his puku. Whitebait is his weakness. Whitey, Tere and Freddy, his old whitebait friends get their comeuppance when they cleverly lure him into a whitebait net. But are they really safe from him?

Maketu Tuna is part of an educational series featuring New Zealand’s wildlife. Werohia, acknowledges these taonga (treasures) living
within the realm of Papatuanuku (Earth Mother) and Ranginui (Sky Father). Whilst the waterways are teeming with riches, the series teaches an appreciation and respect for working as kaitiaki (caretakers) with Tangaroa, the god of the sea. The books are also available in te reo Maori. The first in the series, The Maketu Whitebait tells of the lifetime struggle for survival of three whitebait friends. Freddy is swallowed alive by an enormous ugly black eel (guess who?). But ‘whanaungatanga’ (kinship) prevails and Whitey swims in to save his friend.