The Whale Rider – WitiIhimaera

“Determination is key to success”  Using illustrations from WitiIhimaera’s novel The Whale Rider, write an essay showing how Nani Flowers contributes to Kahu’s success.

Introduction (2 marks)
In life whenever one has a strong will, they will always get what they want.  This is clearly brought out by Nani flowers in her struggle to make Kahu succeed in the text Whale Rider by WitiIhimaera.
She supports porourangi’s suggestion of naming Kahu after the founder of the tribe KahutiaTeRangi’s.  This move meant that Kahu was going to be linked to her father’s people and the land forever.  It will therefore necessitate her close protection and care from Nani flowers.
She organized and presided over the burial ceremony of the birth cord umbilical cord near the carved figure of KahatiaTeRangi’s to signify full acceptance and care of Kahu throughout her life.  This determination of burying the cord signified that no matter where Kahu goes she will always return and never be lost to her father’s people.
There was a lot of struggle to have KoroApirana appreciate Kahu as one them.  She made him not to growl at the child anymore and she was excited when Kahu bit KaroApirana’s toe.  All these were due to her persistence to see Kahu succeed.
She was upset and even hit Rawiri for having taken Kahu to the movies.
Nani flowers did not want to take chances.
She was so protective now that she had hoped that Kahu would grow to become the leader of the Maori people.
Her determination is also seen when she reluctantly lets Rawiri take Kahu out to the sheaving session and when they come back and she hears the many things the girl did, she is corss with Rawiri for overworking the poor child.
When Kahu dived into the water to retrieve the stone Nani flowers screamed she thought the girl had drowned.  She instructed Rawiri to search for her.  When Rawiri didn’t find her, she grabbed the mask and tried to swim in search of her.  She was keen on seeing Kahu survive to be the savour of her people.
Even during the exercise of pushing of the Whales that were stranded on the beach.  She did not want Kahu to participate.  She wanted her to remain on the beach so that in case of anything she is safe.  This gesture is a clear indication that she wanted Kahu to succeed.
She attempt to build Kahu into a leader was seen when she forceful puts her in the hands of KoroApirana at least to bless the child with leadership skills.
Conclusion 2 marks
In conclusion it is extremely clear that Nani flowers effort to make Kahu succeed as the leader of the ‘man’ people despite a lot of rejection from KoroApirana bore the fruit.