He Toki Huna: New Zealand in Afghanistan

He Toki Huna examines New Zealand’s long military involvement in Afghanistan. It follows journalist Jon Stephenson as he researches Aotearoa's role in a conflict which co-director Kay Ellmers calls an “ill-defined war against an unclear and shifting 'enemy'". This opening excerpt includes experts, Stephenson in Afghanistan, and background on his 2011 Metro article alleging NZ soldiers breached the Geneva Conventions. Ellmers and Annie Goldson made the Moa Award-winning documentary for Māori Television. A longer cut played at the 2013 NZ Film Festival. Stephenson and Nicky Hager later wrote book Hit & Run. 

Concerned about the reality gap between what our soldiers do and what their military and political masters say they do? He Toki Huna is invaluable.

– Frances Morton, reviewing the documentary in Metro magazine, August 2013

Key Cast & Crew

Kay Ellmers

Producer, Co-Director

Annie Goldson

Producer, Co-Director, Writer, Editor

Jacob Bryant

Cinematographer - Afghanistan

Mike McRoberts

Subject

Joel Haines

Composer

David Green

Sound