Behind the Brush - First Episode

[Gottfried Lindauer] painted hundreds of subjects, many of them noted figures in the colony. But the work that has received most of the attention attention are his portraits of Māori from the nineteenth century. These paintings have provided a portal into our past.

– Narrator Rio Hemopo introduces the work of Gottfried Lindauer

Diseases played havoc on the bodies of our women. As a result, genetics were corrupted. That is why many Māori couldn't have children. These diseases affected both women and men.

– Historian Dr Ranginui Walker on diseases introduced by Pākehā, early in this episode

The Māori male was considered a classically beautiful figure. And there is some amazing literature about their looks, their dress sense, their sartorial elegance, the complicated and exquisite finery of their hairstyles, their jewellery.

– Art historian Ngahuia Te Awekotuku

...they lacked the resistance to the European diseases that came upon them, and so they succumbed to that — as did many other Thames Māori.

– John McEnteer, descendant of Pare Watana, on the effects of introduced illnesses, early in this episode

What we see is this massive social dislocation. We see social and economic deprivation to the point where we, today, are virtually paupers in our own land.

– John McEnteer, descendant of Pare Watana, early in this episode