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Synopsis

Merata Mita’s Patu! is a startling documentary record of the mass civil disobedience that took place throughout New Zealand during the winter of 1981, in protest against a South African rugby tour. Testament to the courage and faith of both the filmmakers and marchers, Patu! is a landmark in New Zealand's film history. It staunchly contradicts claims by author Gordon McLauchlan a couple of years earlier that New Zealanders were “a passionless people”.

Background

A Perspective by Mihi Murray 31.08.2008

Merata Mita's Patu! is a remarkable protest story told in the face of adversity, and a monument to a time when New Zealand was torn in two by the 1981 Springbok rugby tour. You were ...

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Credits (21)

 Merata Mita
 Chris Barrett
 Gaylene Preston

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Comments (19)

 monique delatour

monique delatour

Thank you so much for the opportunity to see this. I was involved in the protests, when i was 16. It was during this time i heard gil scott heron's song 'johannesburg' . This was a pivotal turning point in my life, and I ended up living and working with gil (RIP) for a number of years here in the USA. Much respect to everyone involved in the mobilization during this time, it made me who I am today.

 Dee

Dee

Excellent doco! Lots of familiar faces from growing up in this land, RESPECT!!

 Tihoi Tini

Tihoi Tini

A great doco thankyou Merata Mita & co and Nz on screen for putting Patu on-line. Awesome to see NZers young and old and from different ethnic backgrounds fighting rascism.

 Salome

Salome

I think this film is so full of passion which made it possible for equal race rights in New Zealand. I love the standing up for what is right as a human being.

 Colleen Puhara

Colleen Puhara

For some1 like me who was only 10 at the time, this film has been a great educator for me...Thanks you Merata & co!

Tonight, I attended a 30th anniversary meeting in Hamilton regarding storming the pitch and was greatly humbled by the testimonies given by the speakers, my aunty Mihirawhiti Searankce, John Minto, Karl & Ross Crook, Ian Grant & Michael Law & 1 other lady.

There was also a speaker from South Africa Mark Fredricks (and his wife Enid) who really brought the reality of then & now in his homeland, he is currently touring through NZ - I feel really blessed for the opportunity I was given to attend tonight's function xox

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Quotes

Yes, Patu! has a Māori perspective, but it does not override the mass mobilisation of New Zealand's white middle class, neither does it take credit from those who rightly deserve it, everyone who put themselves on the line. My perspective encourages people to look at themselves and examine the ground they stand on. 
We do not fear you. We might shed blood on the road, we might show some bruises tonight, but at least we can sleep with a clear conscience, we will sleep with a clear conscience. Many of you won’t. Some of you might think you will, but history is on our side, and that’s what matters [...]. History is always on the side of the people, not armies, not policemen and not governments. History is always on the side of the people.