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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”.
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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Excellent doco! Lots of familiar faces from growing up in this land, RESPECT!!
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.
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.
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
Awatea Films
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Television, 1996 (Full Length Episode)
A documentary covering NZ society during the tour
Television, 2007 (Excerpts)
A documentary exploring the 1970s/80s protest movement through six key activists and their children.
Television, 1989 (Full Length)
A short drama written and directed by Riwia Brown
Television, 1977 (Full Length)
A documentary about the land protests of 1976
Television, 1987 (Full Length)
Mita is featured in this Koha documentary on Māori film
Television, 1996 (Excerpts)
A series looking at NZ social history through rugby
Television, 1982 (Full Length)
Drama set immediately after the Springbok tour
Television, 2007 (Excerpts)
Mita discusses her journey as an artist in this TV doco
Finalist - Most
Outstanding Website
The ONYAs 2010 & 2011
Best Entertainment Website
Finalist – Website design
Qantas Media Awards 2009
NZ ON SCREEN 2012
This website has been made with funding from NZ ON AIR ›
The synopsis and credits are included
monique delatour
Posted at 05.58AM - 13.01.2012
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.