The Giant of Lake Wakatipu

A beloved Maori myth about the formation of Wakatipu, a great lake of Te Wai Pounamu, as told by the iconic author and illustrator Peter Gossage.

The traditional legend of how Lake Wakatipu was formed, beautifully retold by Peter Gossage.

When Manata goes missing from her village, her people discover that she has been kidnapped by a giant. Her lover, Matakauri, sets off to rescue her, knowing that his people will never be safe until the giant is killed.

While the giant sleeps, Matakauri builds a fire around him. But what will happen when the fire is lit?

This is a beautiful retelling of the legend of how one of New Zealand’s great lakes came to be.

Read all the Maori myths by Peter Gossage!