Whaitiri

**Whaitiri** is a young, benevolent Taniwha found by Isabelle Rockatansky and Yaling Li.

After being spared by Yaling, Whaitiri became their companion and helped them survive in the mines.

## Appearance

Whaitiri is small, about the size of a house cat, but Russell mentions she is not yet fully grown. She has green-yelllow scales, yellow eyes and pointed teeth, though she mostly uses them for teething as they are not yet fully sharpened She has small, stubby antlers, six legs and a long tail that can deliver a venomous shot

## Personality

As the youngest Taniwha, Whaitiri is playful compared to the others. She is also very affectionate, staying close to Isabelle and clinging to her jacket on multiple occasions. She is still fierce, however, threatening Jacob with her venomous sting when he scares her, and ripping Bianca's throat out. Most importantly, she is shown to be still learning, as she can be very curious (jumping to the table to investigate the screens) or very skittish (hiding around Isabelle's neck when startled).

## Involvement

### Chapter 7

Whaitiri recognises Uenuku in the lodge and playfully greets the older Taniwha. When she is threatened by Jacob, she snarls and prepares to sting him before being warned back by Keiko.

She appears to understand that Tāwhaki is dead when Jacob is discussing the corpse he and Harper found on the mountain, as she and Uenuku both whine and move anxiously around at the news.

When Isabelle is telling her story, Whaitiri stays close to her and acts as a comfort.

### Chapter 9

Whaitiri is on Isabelle's shoulder as the group travels towards the Observatory, but switches to Keiko at the older girl's behest. She snarls at the trap door as Keiko approaches it, indicating that she was able to sense the presence of a hostile Taniwha. When Isabelle makes the climb with Margarita, she appears to understand Noah's request to "look after her", as she perches stoically on Isabelle's shoulder and refuses to let go.

### Chapter 10

Whaitiri recognises Tū-te-wehiwehi in the lodge and attempts to run to him, but is stopped by Isabelle.

## Relationships

### Tāwhaki

Isabelle states that Tāwhaki and Whaitiri used to play together in the Observatory, and that the older Taniwha was always patient with her. Whaitiri is also visibly distressed when hearing the news of Tāwhaki's death, and becomes distraught when his body is discovered in the mines.

### Uenuku

Whaitiri is delighted to see Uenuku in the lodge and immediately goes to greet the older Taniwha. Despite being stopped by Jacob, she and Uenuku appear to be communicating throughout the book. Uenuku also protects Whaitiri in the lodge, picking her up and carrying her out as Jacob flees.

### Ārohirohi

Whaitiri is sadenned by the news of Ārohirohi's death, and Isabelle notes that the two of them seemed close, both being female. Upon discovering Ārohirohi's body, Whaitiri nuzzles it sadly and makes a "horrific keening noise, much like a child's"

### Tū-te-wehiwehi

Whaitiri appears to have come into contact with Tū-te-wehiwehi before falling into the mines, as she recognises him at the same time Uenuku does, while Keiko and Isabelle do not. She attempts to go to him, but is stopped by Isabelle. it is partly Tū-te-wehiwehi's recognition of Whaitiri that spurns the elder Taniwha to protect the group as they escape the lodge.