"My name is Paikea Apirana and I come from a Iong Iine of chiefs stretching all the way back to the whale rider. I'm n…"

"In the old days the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting waiting. Waiting to be filled up. Waiting for someone…"

"My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs..."

"There was no gladness when I was born."

"By being born I broke the line back to the ancient ones. It wasn't anybody's fault — it just happened."

"My Koro wished in his heart that I'd never been born. But he changed his mind."

"Why doesn't he want me?"

"We can learn — and if the knowledge is given to everyone — then we can have lots of leaders, and soon everyone will b…"

"When you extend your tongue...you're saying to your enemies.....I'm gonna eat you...your eyes will roll back...your h…"

"I wasn't scared to die. Why though ?"