We’re excited to be giving away two copies of Tākapu the Lone Hunter by Ned Barraud to our GrownUps members!
To be in the draw, simply make sure you’re a GrownUps member, signed up to our newsletter, and fill in your details at the bottom of the page.
A beautifully illustrated exciting non-fiction story
A fearless gannet. A wild ocean. One daring mission.
The gannet, or tākapu, must set off through the skies to find food for her chick. When she spots a feeding frenzy far below, she needs to act fast.
Will she plunge through the waves in time?
Can she avoid danger beneath the surface?
And will she make it home with a meal for her waiting chick?
Tākapu the Lone Hunter is perfect for children who love the natural world and enjoy an action-oriented approach to non-fiction.
Back in 2009, Ned was in Keneperu Sound with his family, kayaking and exploring the bays when he came across a small colony of gannets. ‘That experience really stayed with me,’ says Ned. ‘I later returned with my young son Rory, and we spent ages watching the birds going about their day…feeding, diving, and looking after their large, fluffy chicks. I took a lot of reference photos at the time, which became the foundation for the book.’
Tākapu the Lone Hunter has important animal conservation themes. ‘Gannets are such incredible native seabirds,’ says Ned. ‘Many children won’t be very familiar with them, especially with how they hunt and care for their chicks. It’s quite amazing that their bodies are adapted to hit the water at over 100 km/h when diving for fish.’
The illustrations are beautiful and they really come to life. Children will love the movement, colour and light. ‘With my books, I try to place myself inside the world of the animal, so the reader can feel the movement and energy of their environment. With the gannet, that meant imagining what it’s like to soar on thermals and then plunge into the sea at speed. I wanted to give readers a glimpse into that experience…to bring them right into the bird’s world and make it feel alive.’
Aimed at ages 3-10 years. It features not only gannets but also whales, dolphins and other sea creatures (with fun facts on each). Readers will love searching the lush illustrations for details and it will surely spark a sense of fascination.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ned Barraud is a New Zealand-based illustrator, artist, and author known for his detailed nature paintings and popular children’s books. His work celebrates Aotearoa’s unique wildlife, landscapes, and natural heritage through art prints, original paintings, and storytelling.
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Terms and conditions
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You must be a GrownUps member and subscribed to our newsletter to be eligible to enter.
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The competition closes on 9th September 2026. Winners will be notified via email by 10th September 2026.
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It is your responsibility to provide a correct New Zealand postal address for prize delivery. GrownUps is not responsible for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
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Winners will be drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
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GrownUps employees and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.
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By entering, you agree to GrownUps using your name on social media as a winner of the competition.
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One entry per household.
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The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other items.
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You must reside in New Zealand, as the prize can only be delivered within New Zealand.
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You must be over 50 years of age to enter. Please ensure your membership details are up to date in your dashboard.
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