How Maui Found His Father and the Magic Jawbone

Name: How Maui Found His Father and the Magic Jawbone
Brand: Penguin Random House NZ
SKU: 9780143505198
Price: 22.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Peter Gossage

0.0 (0 reviews)

Brief Description

A beloved Maori myth about how Maui met his father, as told by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage. Maui wants to know two things: who is his father and where does his mother go during the day? One day he follows her and finds... Read More

Format: Paperback / softback

$22⁰⁰

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

How Maui Found His Father and the Magic Jawbone

$22⁰⁰

FICTION 19 Oct 2026

Shirl and Lizzy Review The Starving Bride

Catherine Chidgey does it again with another incredible novel that will have people talking for...

FANTASY 18 Oct 2026

Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reads for the Spooky Season

We asked our Sci-Fi and Fantasy reader, Edd, to share his recs for Spooky Season...

BOOK REVIEW 18 Oct 2026

Review: In the Room

An emotional and authentic retelling of an extraordinary chapter in our country’s history. Andrew Campbell’s...

NON-FICTION 16 Oct 2026

An Evening with Ryan Holiday: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life

I was lucky enough to see Ryan Holiday speak in Auckland on Tuesday night. I've...

AUTHOR SIGNING 16 Oct 2026

Emma Galloway visits Book Hero

We we delighted to have chef and author, Emma Galloway, visit Hero HQ to promote...

Description

A beloved Maori myth about how Maui met his father, as told by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage.

Maui wants to know two things: who is his father and where does his mother go during the day? One day he follows her and finds himself in the underworld.

Read all the Maori myths by Peter Gossage!

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780143505198

Publisher: Penguin Group (NZ)

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 November 2011

Country: New Zealand

Imprint: Puffin

Edition: 2nd edition

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 7.0mm

Width: 210.0mm

Height: 296.0mm

Weight: 162g

Pages: 32

Collections

Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational New Zealand and Australia Published New Zealand Children's Books New Zealand Published Penguin Books Peter Gossage

About the Author

Peter Gossage is the storyteller and illustrator of many published works, including myths such as Hinemoa and Tutanekai and Pania of the Reef. His distinctive artistic style is loved by adults and children alike, and his retelling of old and interesting myths is done in such a way that they are easily accessible to readers of many ages. Peter lives in Auckland.

Also by Peter Gossage

View all

On Sale
18% off

Maui and Other Maori Legends

Maui and Other Maori Legends by Peter Gossage is a treasured collection that brings together some of the most beloved tales from Maori mythology. With vibrant illustrations and enthralling storytelling, this volume captures the essence of New Zealand's rich cultural heritage. Each story within this collection is an adventure into a world where the extraordinary becomes possible, where heroes rise,...

By Peter Gossage

Hardback

$27⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$40⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
Te-Ika-a-Maui/The Fish of Maui

The beloved Te-Ika-a-Maui/The Fish of Maui by Peter Gossage brings the iconic Maori myth to life in a beautiful bilingual Maori-English edition, enriched by Merimeri Penfold's poetic translation. This captivating tale recounts the adventurous exploits of the demigod Maui and his remarkable feat in discovering the North Island of New Zealand, also known as Aotearoa. Denied the chance to join...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$18⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships today
Battle of the Mountains

Battle of the Mountains by Peter Gossage is a captivating retelling of a cherished Maori legend about the majestic mountains of New Zealand's central North Island. Renowned for his vivid illustrations and timeless storytelling, Gossage immerses readers in a mythic world where the mountains themselves come alive with passion, rivalry, and dramatic confrontations. In this enchanting narrative, the towering Tongariro...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$18⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
Te Hopu a Maui i a te Ra/How Maui Slowed the Sun

Te Hopu a Maui i a te Ra/How Maui Slowed the Sun by Peter Gossage is a captivating retelling of an iconic Maori myth that has enchanted readers for generations. In this beautifully illustrated book, readers will follow the legendary Maui as he devises a clever plan to slow the Sun's journey across the sky, struggling with the challenge of...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$17⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
Te Pakanga a nga Maunga/Battle of the Mountains

Te Pakanga a nga Maunga / Battle of the Mountains by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage tells a captivating legend from New Zealand's central North Island. This story explores the dramatic clash and rivalry among some of the region's most famous mountains. Through Gossage's vivid retelling, readers are transported to a time when these majestic peaks were not...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$19⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
How Maui Found His Mother

How Maui Found His Mother is a beloved Maori myth about how Maui discovered his mother, as told by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage. After he is found washed up on the beach as a baby, Maui is brought up by his powerful uncle. But one thing bothers him—other children have mothers, so where is his? Determined to...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$22⁰⁰

In Stock
Ships today
Pania of the Reef

A beloved Māori legend about the immortal, sea-dwelling Pania, as told by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage. Pania of the Reef is a creature of the sea, but she is fascinated by the land. She falls in love with a young chief who tries to make her stay on shore. This is the legend of how Pania became...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$22⁰⁰

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
How Maui Found the Secret of Fire

A beloved Maori myth about Maui and Mahuika, the goddess of fire, as told by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage. Maui the trickster wants to know what will happen if he puts out all the fires in his pa. When his people wake, they are very angry and Maui must go to the volcano to visit Mahuika, the...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$22⁰⁰

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
IN THE BEGINNING

In the Beginning introduces the captivating creation myth of Maori legend, gracefully retold through Peter Gossage’s vibrant style. This story begins with Ranginui, the father, and Papatuanuku, the mother. Gossage's bold design and concise text recount the struggles of the children of Rangi and Papa as they endeavour to part their parents and bring light to the world. Through this...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$19⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
Rona and the Moon

A beloved Maori legend about what happened when Rona dared to curse Te Marama, as told by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage. Gossage's classic retelling of the Maori myth of Rona and the Moon. Rona is charged with the important task of making food ready for her family when they return from a fishing trip. As night falls,...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$22⁰⁰

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
How Maui Defied the Goddess of Death

How Maui Defied the Goddess of Death is a beloved Māori myth about how Maui challenges Hine-nui-te-Po, as told by the iconic author and illustrator, Peter Gossage. When one of Maui's uncles dies, Maui sets out to defeat the goddess of death. But death has a few surprises in store for him. This is the final story in Peter Gossage's...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$22⁰⁰

In Stock
Ships today
How Maui Slowed the Sun

A beloved Maori myth about how Maui outwitted Te Ra, as told by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage. Faced with too short days and long nights, Maui comes up with a plan to slow the sun's passage through the sky. With the help of his brothers, Maui sets out for the home of the sun to catch it...

By Peter Gossage

Paperback

$22⁰⁰

In Stock
Ships today

More from Children's Books

View all

New Release

Gruffalo Granny

The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...

By Julia Donaldson

Hardback

$24⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$30⁰⁰~~

(2)

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Detective Beans Colouring Club

Help Detective Beans solve the case of the missing colours! Join the Colouring Club now! Join the Detective Beans Colouring Club! Inside you'll find 40 removable colouring pages featuring scenes from all over Cat Town. Filled with all the characters you know and love from the Detective Beans graphic novels like Biscuits, Beans' mum, Mr Brickle, Bear, Detective Baby Bird...

By Li Chen

Paperback

$17⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Wahine

From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....

By Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Hardback

$31⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$39⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

The Sixth Faction

Beatrice Prior stands on the brink of a decision every person in her world must make: five factions, five futures, five lives. She has a plan: she's going to make the bravest choice, and leave Abnegation behind to join Dauntless, even though it means leaving her family behind. But when tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, everything changes—her world, her...

By Veronica Roth

Paperback

$29⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$34⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Lottie Brooks’s Twelve Disasters of Christmas

From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! But this time... it's not about Lottie! From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! And it's CHRISTMAS! In The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks we spent the holiday season with...

By Katie Kirby

Paperback

$17⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
On Sale
21% off
New Release

Matihe! Achoo!

What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...

By Qiane Matata-Sipu

Paperback

$15⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
The Sweet As Looky Book

Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...

By Donovan Bixley

Hardback

$22⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

Backorder
Ships mid October
New Release

Pocket Observology

Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...

By Giselle Clarkson

Paperback

$23⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster

Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...

By Sam Smith

Paperback

$14⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$14⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
On Sale
15% off
New Release

The Neverfear

A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...

By Katherine Rundell

Paperback

$17⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Mari the Unwonderful Witch

A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...

By Asako Yuzuki

Paperback

$19⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$24⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
On Sale
20% off
New Release

Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition

A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...

By Graeme Base

Hardback

$24⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$35⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.