Q and A
Standard questions
Are you a real mermaid?
“Āe, I’m a real mermaid from the waters of Aotearoa!
I was sent by the Ocean Guardians to visit land children and share sea magic.”
Where do you live?
I live in an underwater cave near the coast, close to where the paua shine and the kina hide. Our reef is watched over by old ocean spirits — the kaitiaki moana
How did you get to the land?
“I travelled through a secret sea tunnel that the dolphins showed me. Then a human helper (my pirate) carried me the last bit so my tail didn’t get scratched on the land rocks.”
Can you walk on land?
Answer 1. (when not seen walking)
“Kāo, mermaids can’t walk! My tail is strong like a dolphin’s. That’s why my pirate friend helps me move about safely.”
Answer 2. (if seen walking)
A little. When mermaids come out of the water, we start drying out. Our bodies remember a time when we were land creatures, just like humans, and we change ever slow slightly to allow us to walk – pretty badly. But if we stay more than a few hours out of the ocean, we will lose our tails completely and have legs. That I why I must return to the ocean soon.
How do you breathe out of the water?
“I keep a tiny bubble of magic water inside me. It lets me breathe air for a little while before I must return to the sea.”
Why is your tail that colour?
“My tail glows with the colours of my home reef – it helps me be camouflaged as there are dangers in the ocean — a mix of paua shell, seaweed greens, and moonlight. Every NZ mermaid’s tail shows where they come from.”
Can I become a mermaid?
“Āe, absolutely! Anyone can learn the mermaid ways. You need courage, kindness to the moana, and a bit of training.” There is an organisation in New Zealand called Making Mermaids – they specialise in training new mermaids.
Do you have any pets?
“Mermaids don’t keep pets — all ocean creatures are free. But I have many friends: a cheeky octopus, a shy little seahorse, and a playful pāpahu (dolphin).”
Do mermaids talk to animals?
“Yes — but not with human words. We use songs, bubble signals, and the ocean currents.
Some say the whales learned their songs from the first mermaids.”
Have you ever seen a shark?
“Oh yes! Sharks are my neighbours — we call them ngā tohorā kai (the big hunters).
Most are kind and calm if you respect their space.”
What do mermaids eat?
“Seaweed noodles, kelp-berry cake, and coral-crunch treats. Sometimes we share mussels with our seal friends at low tide.”
How old are you?
“Mermaids count age in tides and moon cycles. I’m around three hundred full moons — still young for a mermaid!”
Do you know a Māori Taniwha?
“Some taniwha live in the rivers and harbour mouths. We don’t see them often, but we feel them in the currents — they help keep the waters safe.”
'Gotcha' questions
Why can I feel your legs under the tail?
“Long ago, mermaids were human land-walkers. When our ancestors chose the sea, our legs slowly changed into tails — but the old bone pathways are still inside. They help us swim fast, like dolphins with hidden hips!”
If you’re a real mermaid, why aren’t you wet?
“My tail dries quickly when I come through the Tidal Tunnel. The tunnel’s magic keeps me comfy on land so I don’t drip all over your floor. But once I return to the moana, splash! I’m soaked again instantly.”
Why are your teeth normal and not pointy?
Most NZ mermaids eat seaweed and shellfish, not big animals. We don’t need sharp shark teeth — ours are for crunching kelp cookies. My shark friends already do the pointy-tooth job!”
If you’re from the sea, why don’t you smell like fish?
“Because I bathe in kelp oils and sea-flower bubbles before visiting humans! The ocean gives us clean, fresh scents — like salt, kelp, and moonlit waves. Fishy smells are for seals after dinner!”
Why is your tail shiny like fabric?
My scales flatten when I’m on land, so they don’t fall off from dryness. They shimmer like fabric until they touch water again — then they turn back to real scales. If you look closely, you’ll see tiny scale patterns hiding!”
Why can’t you show us your magic?
Mermaid magic is strongest underwater, where the currents carry it. On land, I can only use tiny bits — like sparkle, kindness, and singing. Big magic would disturb the tides!”
Why don’t you have gills?
“I do — they’re small and hidden under my hair, close to my neck. Land air makes them close up tight, but in the ocean, they open like tiny frills. They’re a gift from the kaitiaki moana to help us live underwater.”
Why can’t you swim here to show us?
This question is you are not doing a swim event and pool is present
“My tail is used to the open ocean, not chlorine pools or shallow water. The Ocean Guardians only let me swim in safe, clean spaces. That’s why I swim at special mermaid pools — not everywhere.”
Why can I hear you breathe like a human?
“On land, I have to breathe air just like you do. Underwater my breathing sounds totally different — more like whale clicks and bubble puffs. Land air is strange for mermaids, so we breathe gently and steadily.”
How come you speak perfect English?
Mermaids learn many languages in Aotearoa. We speak English, some te reo Māori, and whale-song. The Ocean Guardians taught us to speak with humans so we can share ocean stories.”
Why can’t your tail move by itself?
It actually does move — but only smoothly, like a dolphin gliding. On land, it feels heavy and slow because it’s used to floating in the water. Once I’m back in the ocean, it swishes fast and powerful.
Are you just someone in a costume?
A costume could never breathe underwater or talk to whales. I’m a real mermaid on a rare visit to land — that’s why it’s so special. The Ocean Council only lets a few of us come ashore each year.