Ancient Future

"Ancient Future" is a coming-of-age story that weaves together Maori culture, mysticism, and historical injustice through the journey of Kevin, an 11-year-old boy discovering his heritage. The story follows Kevin as he visits his mother's ancestral lands in New Zealand for the first time. Living in Wellington with his mother and three older brothers, Kevin's interest in his Maori heritage is sparked when he finds a mysterious book about his grandfather's tribe and the land wars.
When his aunt Aroha visits, she arranges for Kevin to visit his extended family, including his grandfather Koru. The narrative takes a mystical turn when Kevin begins having vivid dreams about Rua Kenana, a historical Maori chief who was unjustly imprisoned by British colonizers. In these dreams, Rua guides Kevin to a sacred mountain called Maungapohatu, which has been considered tapu (forbidden) since Rua's imprisonment.
During a camping trip with his grandfather and uncle, Kevin follows his vision to climb the forbidden mountain. Through a supernatural experience, he travels back in time and meets his grandfather Koru as a young boy, witnessing firsthand the tragic events that led to Rua's arrest. Kevin discovers crucial evidence - court documents that could clear Rua's name - hidden in a carved box at the base of an ancient kauri tree.
The discovery of these documents allows Kevin's people to lift the tapu from the mountain, restoring their connection to their ancestral lands. The story concludes with the mountain yielding gold deposits, bringing prosperity to the tribe, while Kevin keeps secret a special gold nugget given to him by young Koru during his time-travel experience. The novel explores themes of cultural identity, ancestral connection, historical injustice, and spiritual awakening.
It blends reality with Maori mysticism while addressing the impact of British colonization on New Zealand's indigenous people. Through Kevin's journey, the story illustrates the importance of understanding and preserving cultural heritage while healing historical wounds.