Māori (1981) [N/A]

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Release Date:
July 25, 1981

Original Title:
Māori

Genres:
Documentary | History

Production Companies:
New Zealand National Film Unit
The National Film Unit

Production Countries:
New Zealand

Ratings / Certifications:
NZ: G 

Runtime: 21

The hongi is a greeting of affection: aroma. 'Aroha': love or compassion, is the vine that binds the tribe.

This 1981 NFU film is a tour of the contemporary world of Aotearoa’s tangata whenua. It won headlines over claims that its portrayal of Māori had been sanitised for overseas viewers. Debate and a recut ensued. Writer Witi Ihimaera felt that mentions of contentious issues (Bastion Point, the land march) in his original script were ignored or elided in the final film, and withdrew from the project. He later told journalists that the controversy showed that educated members of minority groups were no longer prepared to let the majority interpret the minority view.

Additional information:

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Assistant Camera:
Ivars Berzins

Assistant Director:
Pat McGuire

Assistant Sound Engineer:
Roger Goldstone

Camera Operator:
Kell Fowler

Creator:
Witi Ihimaera

Director:
Arthur Everard

Editor:
Ross A. Chambers

Original Film Writer:
Witi Ihimaera

Producer:
Derek Wright

Second Assistant Director:
Rex Potier

Sound:
David Keene
Kerry Coe

Sound Mixer:
Brian Shennan

Writer:
Mel Taylor

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