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Hero image for Into Antiquity: A Memory of the Māori Moko

Into Antiquity: A Memory of the Māori Moko

Short Film (Full Length) – 1972

This 1972 documentary explores the world of a dying generation of Māori female elders or kuia — “the last of the Māori women with tattooed chins”. The film pays tribute to the place of the kuia in Māori culture, and of wahine tā moko. Among those on screen are 105-year old Ngahuia Hona, who cooks in hot pools, rolls a cigarette, and eats with whānau, and “the oldest Māori” Ngakahikatea Whirihana, who remembers the Battle of Ōrākau during the land wars, and has outlived four husbands. Into Antiquity was an early documentary from veteran director Wayne Tourell. 

It is a pride tinged with sadness, for many of them are the last of the full-blooded Māori.
– Narrator Meremere Penfold

Key Cast & Crew

Profile image for Selwyn Muru

Selwyn Muru

Narrator

Profile image for Wayne Tourell

Wayne Tourell

Director

Generic Profile image for Meremere Penfold

Meremere Penfold

Narrator

Generic Profile image for Kristin Zambucka

Kristin Zambucka

Writer, Illustrations , Executive Producer

Generic Profile image for Harry Reynolds

Harry Reynolds

Executive Producer

Generic Profile image for John Dylan

John Dylan

Sound Mix

See all 14 credits

Produced by

Reynolds Television

Acknowledgements

'The producers wish to thank H.M. Queen Te Ata Rangikahu, and all the Māori families who assisted us by allowing their beloved Kuia to be filmed'