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NZ Wars - Stories of Waitara

2019 44m Web
  • Documentary
  • Māori
  • NZ History

This second online documentary about the New Zealand Wars sees presenter Mihingarangi Forbes visiting old Taranaki battlefields. Forbes travels to Waitara and its surrounds, where British colonial forces attacked Māori in the late 1800s because they refused to sell their land. Animation is used to bring modern-day ruins of pā back to life — such as Pukerangiora and Puketakauere. Historians and Te Āti Awa members talk about the tactical prowess of Māori, who used decoy pā to trick the British, and the lingering sadness Māori still feel about losing their land. The show won Best Māori Programme at the 2020 NZ TV Awards.

Key Cast & Crew

Profile picture of Rewa Harre
Rewa Harre
Cinematographer
AR
Arthur Rasmussen
Cinematographer
MP
Mahanga Pihama
Producer
Profile picture of Annabelle Lee-Mather
Annabelle Lee-Mather
Executive Producer
CB
Cameron Bennett
Co-Director