The founding story
The Legend of the Seven Whales
The story of Kaitiaki, Mataara, Hinemoana, Atawhai, Kaha Taua, Manaaki and Piripoho.
Across the great Pacific, a family pod followed an ancient song. Kaitiaki, the great matriarch, carried the memory of the ocean. Mataara watched the horizon. Hinemoana listened to the currents. Atawhai nurtured the young. Kaha Taua carried strength through storm. Manaaki welcomed the lost. Piripoho, the calf, saw wonder in everything.
Their journey brought them to Kāpiti, where the whenua, awa, wetland and moana speak to one another. There the pod understood its task: to become guardians on land, teaching those who visit that the health of the ocean begins far upstream.
Read the full illustrated storybook
The Legend of the Seven Whales of Whale Song tells the full journey of the family pod.
A living story of ocean giants
Inspired by migration, family, guardianship and hope.
Whale Song is inspired by the great migration of humpback whales through the waters of Aotearoa and the deep relationship between people, oceans, stories and place.
The seven whales represent guardianship, knowledge, family, resilience and hope. Rising above the Wharemauku Awa, they will become a place of wonder, reflection and learning for generations to come.
Why Seven Whales
Our Support Network
Partnered and Supported By
Lead Partner
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Whale Song is a community-led project. We thank all our partners and supporters who are helping shape a legacy for future generations.