The Secret Green (Spark Hunter #2)

The second book in the Spark Hunter series is a powerful and imaginative story that blends adventure, culture, and environmental awareness.

After surviving a month alone in Fiordland National Park, thirteen-year-old Nissa is struggling to adjust to city life. She feels a deep pull to return to the ngāhere—a place where she encountered Atua who helped her understand the interconnectedness of nature and her place within it. When one of these Atua becomes sick after travelling to find her, Nissa knows she must return the fairy to the ancient tree where the Atua live.

With the help of her friends Tama and Josh, Nissa cleverly uses the media interest in her first survival story to get back into the forest. Once there, they discover land surveyors preparing to build a tourist road. Together, the Atua, Nissa, and Tama work to protect the forest, learning about the sacred green stone—pounamu—and the dangers of mining and over-development. The Māori value of kaitiakitanga is woven beautifully throughout the story, showing children the importance of caring for birds, land, and the wider environment.

The inclusion of emails, reporters, and live trends adds a modern touch, highlighting the contrast between city life and the deep wisdom of the natural world. I loved how the book also ties intergenerational stories and the consequences of forgetting our connections to nature. This book would be fantastic for a read aloud as you can discuss Māori values, history of Fiordland and links to Aotearoa.

This is a meaningful, exciting read that encourages readers to honour and protect the whenua.