It seems like everyone is against Pete. Mum left and he doesn't know why, his smirky sister teases him constantly, and Dad's gonna whack his butt if he doesn't try out for the under fourteen rugby team.

But rugby's a dangerous game when Wiremu is playing in the other team. He's bigger, stronger and faster than everyone, and he's not afraid to bend the rules - on and off the field. Tackle him and he'll probably smash your face in later.

The new school principal isn't helping either. From what Pete can see he hates kids, and he hates tikanga Māori - something Pete's school has always had at its heart. On top of that, the principal's annoying daughter Wendy has joined Pete's class and wants to be his friend - stuff that! She's a straight up weirdo!

When the unthinkable happens to his best mate and everything seems impossible, Pete finds that help can come from the most surprising places.

White Lies Māori Legends and Fairytales won the Storylines Notable Book award in 2020.

White Lies Māori Legends and Fairytales is being used at over 300 schools in New Zealand as an in-class text to help with literacy and New Zealand History.

White Lies Māori Legends and Fairytales was adapted into short film 'Small Waves' which won multiple awards here and internationally and can be viewed on Sky's Rialto Channel or Māori Television.