Maraea and the Albatrosses

This beautifully presented children's picture flat tells the story of Maraea, an elderly Maori woman living in a coastal community. The site of the kainga is also next to an albatross colony, and there are close (and fabulously illustrated) links between the people and the birds. But people are drifting to the cities, and the community is falling apart. Soon only an aging Maraea is left on the cliff top, looking out to sea to welcome the birds. And soon even Maraea passes away. On the site of Marea's old sitting place on the cliff top, only a rock remains. But something is happening, the rock is moving and stirring. It bursts open, and a great albatross emerges, spreading its massive wings and soaring up into the sky . . .