Loading Docs 2024 - Tū Tonu - Still Standing

In 2020 arborist Zane Wedding (Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Pikiao) a Mangere-born champion tree climber and senior lecturer at Manakau Institute of Technology undertook a 60-day protest to save a grove of ancient trees on public land in Avondale. He was arrested and during jail time was inspired to follow a path of activism guided by the wairua of his tūpuna. Short documentary Tū Tonu focuses on Wedding's life story, how he discovered his connection to rākau (trees) at his lowest point, and how this passion led him to sacrifice personal goals and instead fight for indigenous and ecological causes. Wedding also reflects on the painful side of choosing his life of activism. 

You would have noticed that as we came up the hill all of the roots were intertwined? Kahikatea don't stand good alone, they weave their roots together like a whānau and then when the winds come to them as a grove they support each other... 

– Zane Wedding shares his knowledge about local rākau (trees) with rangatahi

Key Cast & Crew

Kay Ellmers

Pou Māori Executive Producer

Brady Polkinghorne

Director, Producer

Andy Day

Director, Producer

Nia Phipps

Producer

Hugo Eaton

Cinematographer

Adam Scholz

Editor, Sound Recordist, Sound Mix