Characters in Whale Rider
Kahu
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Kahu, a girl born into a patriarchal New Zealand Maori tribe – to the disappointment of
her grandfather, Koro, who wants a boy to lead the tribe.
Despite his resentment towards her, Kahu develops a very strong attachment to her
grandfather.
Kahu is much-loved by the other members of her family, who remark on her beautiful
nature.
She is frequently depicted as wearing white – purity.
From an early age, Kahu demonstrates a strange affinity with whales, getting
extremely upset when she hears about them being harmed.
Koro shows an interest in Maori culture, eavesdropping on the lessons her grandfather
gives about the history of her tribe.
She bites her grandfather’s toe – a sign of the new leader.
She finds in the ocean the specially carved stone which Koro has dropped as a test to
identify the new leader.
She is prepared to sacrifice her life in order to save her tribe, riding the stranded
sacred whale back into the ocean.
Koro
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Is called Paku by his wife – a Maori transliteration of ‘Bugger’ – and then by Kahu,
much to his initial embarrassement;
Kahu's grandfather Koro, the patriarch and leader of the tribe, is resentful about Kahu
beng a girl and this stops him being able to bond with her.
While Koro loves his wife, and has a strong relationship with her – even though they
fight – he still believes that the man should rule the house and his word be final.
Koro is worried about the future of his tribe and decides to form a cultural school for the
village boys, hoping to keep their culture alive and find a new leader.
Koro believes in tradition and the old ways of a tribe, and he cannot even consider that
new ways might have to be followed, in order to ensure the survival of the culture.
It takes Kahu’s disappearance into the ocean on the back of the whale, and Nanny
Flowers showing him the stone Kahu found in the sea, for Koro to realise Kahu’s
destiny.
Uncle Rawiri
- The narrator, he forms a strong bond with Kahu and is a source of support and love.
- He goes overseas for a few years, first to Australia, and then to Papua New Guinea,
where he works for the family of his white friend, Jeff.
- In Papua New Guinea, Rawiri experiences the ‘polite’ racism of his friend’s family and
the low regard held for the life of an indigenous worker when he is hit by a car.
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Rawiri returns home soon after this, showing the pull of the family (theme)
Rawiri is clearly related to the theme of the Importance of Family (a very significant aspect
of Maori culture):
- he misses his family and returns to New Zealand after being away;
- Kahu frequently asks him if he will remember her – he thinks of her frequently;
- He determines to be there for his neice, always.
Nanny Flowers
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Frequently threatens to divorce Koro, she is a strong female, arguing back to her
husband but she still follows his orders.
Sometimes she allows him to think he is in charge at times, and makes up her own
mind behind his back, but Koro’s decisions are final – traditions are still too strong.
Porourangi
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Is Kahu’s father and Rawiri’s brother.
As the first-born, will be the leader after Koro. He becomes involved in Maori land
claims, accompanying Koro to meetings, and shows the strain of being involved in
these legal battles and having the responsibility for the tribe on his shoulders – as does
Koro.