The Waimate Conspiracy

Christchurch policeman Stefen Harris launched his film career with this feature-length adaptation of his own book The Waikikamukau Conspiracy, about a small town Māori land claim. When drama funding couldn’t be secured, it was shot as a low budget mockumentary in just six days in South Canterbury. As George Kepa, Jim Moriarty manages to be endearing in his determination to regain his people’s land at any cost, while fellow castmembers David McPhail and Mark Hadlow enthusiastically lampoon the judicial system. The film won Best Digital Feature at the 2007 Air New Zealand Screen Awards.

This is an inspiring work. It's as if the camera left the film-set for a bit and came out right amongst us. That's exactly what we were seeking to achieve with Ngati.

– Barry Barclay

Key Cast & Crew

David McPhail

As: Judge Henry

Gerard Smyth

As: Dave the Cameraman, Cinematographer

Jim Moriarty

As: George Kepa

Stefen Harris

Director, Writer, Producer

Powley Pearse-Otene

As: Marama Kepa

Bill Kora

As: Joe Wihapi