Riki and the Ship | Reo Pākehā
Riki the bird from Meretoto, casts a watchful eye over the ship Endeavour. Due to the infecstation of rats from Endeavour, Riki would soon find himself alone.
Written by Rina Pinker
Historical note by Dr P N Meihana
Illustrations by Tony Pinker
Riki is a kākāriki happily living in the bush at Meretoto, flying around and singing in the forest. One day, a ship captained by James Cook anchors in the cove. Riki watches as Captain Cook and his crew set up camp, plant vegetables, graze pigs and clean their ship by careening it in the cove. When the Endeavour is tipped over to be cleaned, this allows rats to escape the ship and feed on native birds’ nests. Riki finds himself the only kākāriki left living on Meretoto, the effect of the rats has devastated birdlife in the cove. The Endeavour, Captain Cook and his crew come back to Meretoto on further visits, leaving more rats behind to multiply and deplete birdlife even more.
Riki wonders where his friends are, and he soon finds out that conservationists have been taking eggs and nests from endangered species on Meretoto to nearby Motuara Island, where a sanctuary has been set up for birds just like Riki. Riki flies to the island where he soon finds other kākāriki, as well as a safe place where he can fly and sing as much as he likes.