LibbyHakaraia
- Producer
- Director (ngāti kapumanawawhiti
- Ngāti raukawa
- Ngāti toa rangatira
- Te āti awa)
Libby Hakaraia has an overflowing kete of screen credits, covering everything from Fat Freddy’s Drop to Āpirana Ngata, Anzac Day to Anne Salmond. The ex-radio journalist had a screen apprenticeship at Kiwa Productions, where she made many documentaries on Māori themes. Based in Ōtaki, she now works with partner Tainui Stephens — including on the Māori Television reboot of It’s in the Bag.
Screenography
Biography
Lower Hutt-raised Libby Hakaraia begun her career as a 17-year-old, in a smoky Radio Waikato newsroom. A field report on the 1987 Edgecumbe earthquake scored her a work offer in Auckland. There the cub reporter encountered reactionary radio jocks’and editors, and covered Māori protests.
Awards
2012 Wairoa Māori Film Festival
People’s Choice Prize: The Lawnmower Men of Kapu
2006 ImagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival (Canada)
Best Short Drama: Hawaikii
“As a freelancer, I'm tempted to take the money. But if you only ever go for the money you deny yourself the surprises in life. So I'd say, take the bag. Take the risk.”