What is the importance of the first prologue

Witi Ihimaera begins by using two strategies to emphasize importance of nature and its beauty and to elicit passion and respect for it. He starts by focusing on nature, wildlife and the immense beauty of this world. What is immediately evident is that he is anthropomorphizing nature. The animals are excitedly awaiting something. But not just the animals—the plants too, and the mountains and seas—all of nature is awaiting something.