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The Governor 1 - The Reverend Traitor (First Episode)

1977 Television
  • Drama
  • Māori
  • NZ History
  • Te Reo
  • War

The first episode of landmark 1977 historical drama The Governor is a one and a half hour epic. Soon after signing the Treaty of Waitangi, charismatic Ngāpuhi chief Hōne Heke (George Henare) defies British forces, culminating in the battle at Ruapekapeka pā. Missionary Henry Williams tries to calm his old friend, but his influence is resented by the British. Change arrives with Governor George Grey —who undermines Williams, aggressively pursues 'peace' and captures fearsome Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha, holding him without trial. Governor writer Keith Aberdein provides a provocative angle on the award-winning show here.

More info
Series
1977 Series
The Governor

Key Cast & Crew

Profile picture of Tony Isaac
Tony Isaac
Director
Profile picture of Keith Aberdein
Keith Aberdein
Writer
Profile picture of Grant Tilly
Grant Tilly
As: Archdeacon Henry Williams
Profile picture of George Henare
George Henare
As: Hōne Heke
TT
Tamahina Tinirau
As: Te Rauparaha
CR
Corin Redgrave
As: Governor George Grey

Related images

The-Governor-Gallery-12.jpg
George Henare as Hōne Heke, in episode one of The Governor, 'The Reverend Traitor'.
Kindly provided by The Dominion Post
The-Governor-Gallery-11.jpg
Hōne Heke (George Henare) signs the Treaty of Waitangi in 'The Reverend Traitor', the first episode of The Governor. His friend Henry Williams (Grant Tilly) sits opposite.
Kindly provided by The Dominion Post.
The-Governor-Gallery-7.jpg
Some of the buildings created for The Governor, likely in the hills above the Hutt Valley.
Kindly provided by The Dominion Post.
The-Governor-Gallery-6.jpg
Corin Redgrave as Governor George Grey (left) and Martyn Sanderson as General Sir Duncan Cameron, during on location filming for the fifth episode of The Governor, 'The Lame Seagull'.
Kindly provided by The Dominion Post.
The-Governor-Gallery-2.jpg
At right, actor Don Selwyn (who played Wiremu Tāmihana) explains some of the finer points of a greenstone mere to Eastbourne antique dealer Helen Jenkinson, at an auction of props from historical epic The Governor.
Kindly provided by The Dominion Post
The-Governor-Gallery-1.jpg
Sergeant Johnson (Norman Fletcher) finds the rules of combat on a warrior during the Tauranga campaign. It reads: "If thine enemy hungers, give him food. If he thirsts, give him drink". From the fifth episode of The Governor, 'The Lame Seagull'.
Kindly provided by The Dominion Post.
The-Governor-Episode-4-Gallery-1.jpg
A photo from the fourth episode of The Governor: from left, Pōtautau Te Wherowhero (Bill Tawhai),the first Māori King, and Iwikau Te Heuheu, paramount chief of the Tūwharetoa people.
Kindly supplied by The Dominon Post
The-Governor-Gallery-5.jpg
Judy Cleine as Eliza Grey in historical epic The Governor. She featured in a number of episodes, especially 'No Way to Treat a Lady', the episode devoted to her relationship with George Grey.
Kindly provided by The Dominion Post.
The-Governor-Gallery-3.jpg
A glimpse behind one of the bigger sets built for 1977 TV drama The Governor. George Grey's Mansion House at Kawau Island was recreated on a farm in Forest Lakes, Ōtaki. The set is seen in episode six, 'To the Death'.
Kindly provided by The Dominion Post.
The-Governor-Gallery-13.jpeg
A behind the scenes shot from The Governor (likely taken during the making of episode one). The actor playing 1800s Governor FitzRoy is seated, while Carl Karepa (who played Te Rangihaeata) can be seen in white. The shot was taken at Queen Elizabeth Park on the Kāpiti Coast.
Kindly provided by The Dominion Post

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