Created with the blessing of local kaumatua, the book commemorates the return of Mauao to Tauranga iwi in 2008, the creation of joint management under Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao in 2013, the recognition of Mauao as wāhi tapu in 2014, and the signing of the Mauao Historic Reserve Management Plan last year. McCauley said over the years the mountain has been subjected to vandalism, graffiti and arson attacks. “My hope is that if we tell the story of Mauao to a wider audience, then people will have a greater understanding and appreciation of him. That may translate into how they walk upon Mauao, take their rubbish with them, and help to look after the wildlife that choose to make their home upon his slopes. He is a taonga and deserves our love and respect.” Her passion and respect for Mauao is similarly matched by Tipuna, who began working on the illustrations a year before the book was published. She first crafted a three dimensional sculpture in modelling clay, before using watercolour and gouache to finish the illustrations. They are deceptively simple, but have such great meaning and are deeply moving and emotive. The bilingual picture book features both te reo Māori and English on the same page, with correct macrons in both languages. The book also includes a glossary and pronunciation guide, Mauao facts, a timeline, map, oral traditions, and activities for children. These additions are so well thought-out, they really elevate the book to being so much more than a picture book. It is a reference book, history book, and text book all in one. A big book version makes it a wonderful addition to a classroom or kura kaupapa environment. Ko Mauao Te Maunga is a simply stunning picture book. It will not only help educate our younger generation – and some of the older generation too – about this taonga – but will help children connect with their surroundings, while developing and sense of place and pride. While it will hold immense appeal to readers within the Tauranga area, it is an incredibly informative and assessible homage to Mauao for all New Zealanders

"If you get a copy of this book, you’ll need to hold onto it tightly. The beautiful illustration and production will have people trying to wrestle it off you in a heartbeat. This, in fact, happened to me—I took it out in public and I won’t be making the same mistake twice. People are drawn to it; it has a book lovers sensibility: a matt cover, lovely thick paper and the illustrations are stunning. I always wonder how illustrators make picture books engaging when the protagonist is something I don’t see as particularly expressive. The maunga in this story are human enough to be engaging but solid and immovable enough to leave the reader in no doubt that they are maunga. This is the story of a nameless maunga who was deeply in love with a beautiful maunga, named Puwhenua. However, when he discovered that she was in love with another, his cries of misery are loud enough to be heard by the patupaiarehe. They help him by weaving ropes to bind him and pull him out to sea, away from his unrequited love. They drag him all night but as the first rays of sun send the patupaiarehe back to the forest, and as mountains can only be moved once in their lifetime he is frozen in place forever. He is subsequently named Mauao 'caught by the dawn'. My bland synopsis is exactly why you need to read this book and have this legend brought to life. Like the tardis, this book is much more than it seems. It is more than a picture book —at the back is a glossary, facts about Mauao, a detailed timeline, place names, karakia, whakatauki, maps and activities. This book is the perfect classroom resource—it is informative and well thought out. However, to label it as such does undercook it slightly—this retelling is captivating and evocative. I found myself pouring over the story in both Maori and English. While my reo isn’t proficient enough to comment on the Maori translation, I found it flowed well enough for me, at my beginners level, to read with the assistance of the English text (and the online Maori dictionary for clarifying some words!). Ko Mauao te Maunga would make a lovely gift book—for children and anyone learning te reo or interested in the history and mythology of the Tauranga rohe." Reviewed by Simie Simpson, Paparoa (Magpies Magazine, September 2018, Vol. 33, No. 4).

Author Debbie McCauley had to plan well in advance for her book to be launched during Matariki. It is difficult enough to get the book proofs and overseas publisher coordinated, but to ensure the book is in New Zealand during this special time of the year requires tenacity, constant monitoring progress, and luck. Shipping delays, bad weather, any number of obstacles could prevent the book from arriving on time. Fortunately the season for celebration, stories and remembrance is enhanced with this publication. The Legend of Mauao, like many stories, has multiple variations in theme, content and action. Ko Mauao te Maunga: Legend of Mauao by Debbie McCauley retells the story but it is a much more optimistic, uplifting story. The mountain of no name, instead of wishing to commit suicide, wants to leave the area so he doesn’t have to see Puwhenua. When he gets to the waters’ edge, at dawn, the patupaiarehe depart back into darkness. He is happy because he sees the day is light and bright, and welcomes everyone to Te Awanui – Tauranga Harbour. The many illustrations by Debbie Tipuna depicts the hill without a name, Otanewainuku and Puwhenua. As well, she draws the patupaiarehe with fine characterisations. A map is included. The text is translated by Tamati Waaka. Speakers of Te Reo Maori have called the translation ‘beautiful.’ Billed as a children’s book, it nevertheless has a glossary, Mauao facts, Mauao timeline starting in about 1250s BC, Mauao place names, and other songs and sayings in English and Maori. There are even pages on suggested activities. The genesis for this story, according to Debbie began in 2012. But Life got in the way; such as publishing other books, working, family. And she wanted the right artist for illustrations. As a team, Debbie and Debbie worked in tandem, like on a story board: draft the drawing, layout the sequence, merge the two for a cohesive whole. The page proofs before final production showed more intense colours were needed for reproduction. Book designer Sarah Elworthy worked closely with writer and publisher to ensure the final product excelled in quality. And it does