There have been two films (that reached the UK) that have given us a little insight into Maori culture in the last 20 years, “Once were warriors” and “Whale rider”. So it was fascinating to see the small rural community where whale rider was filmed. Check out some pictures of the area where it was filmed …..
The film is about the story of a young Maori girl Pai, from a patriarchal Maori tribe in New Zealand. She believes she is destined to be the new ruler of her people but has to prove herself to be a worthy leader, fighting against her grandfather Koro, and centuries of tradition. It is a powerful depiction of a community struggling with change. If you haven’t seen it …. go get it! Here’s a video trailer ….
