The Beachmaster

By Carmel Liddell and illustrated by Bruce Potter

A 32 page children’s book published by Reed in 2006. “Temuera, a southern bull elephant seal on Campbell Island, has been defeated in battle with the other bulls and has lost his harem of cows, along with his title of Beachmaster. He swims north and travels along New Zealand’s coastline. When he reaches Gisborne, he blunders up the city’s main boat ramp into the car park. Three tonne seals usually do as they please, and it please Temuera to stay in the car park until he has finished moulting. He decides the car park is an excellent territory and lets out a deafening roar to announce his reclaimed title of Beachmaster.”