The Pounamu series was made in 1990 by the Māori Programmes Department of TVNZ, with people from the Marae and Waka Huia teams working together with non-staff members to tell stories of iconic Māori figures. Here they re-enact parts of the life of Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana (1873 - 1939), a prophet who became a key influence in New Zealand's Māori politics. For many years virtually all Māori MPs were followers of the Ratana faith and pledged support to the Labour Party on his instruction. The political influence of Ratana remains strong.
The Pounamu series was produced and broadcast in 1992 by the Māori Programmes Department of TVNZ, using some people from the Marae and ...