Time for some kiwi culture? This song and story supports children's language skill development in the 2 national languages of Aotearoa New Zealand. While this story is written in English it introduces and affirms Te reo Māori by incorporating it into the story, using the Māori names for the key characters. This fun story teaches children about greed and the songs helps children learn about and fully understand conservation – only taking what is needed.

You can use the story resource with the song, so children can anticipate which verse comes next or simply use your hands to make this into an action song and the children really seem to enjoy the ending of this song, and take great delight in the adult who exaggerates the burp at the end! Perhaps it simply because burping goes against the ‘proper etiquette' with which we are usually bound by – we are only human after all!

While the graphics have been personified, as this supports children’s ability to understand from another perspective, they still detail the obvious and realistic characteristics of each sea creature in bright, colourful and attractive storytelling pictures, not just for early childhood but for children of all ages.

Story Resources to Download Include:

• Story
• Song Sheet
• Kina - Sea Egg
• Pāpaka - Crab
• Whëke - Octopus
• Ika - Flounder
• Koura - Crayfish
• Rimurimu - Seaweed
• Taniwha Graphic (in separate file)