Movie

Māori

“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.

Director

Arthur Everard

Screenplay

Mel Taylor

Status

Released

Release date

25/07/1981

Original language

English