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Ka Haku Au - A Poet's Lament

Television (Full Length) – 2009

Ka Haku Au — A Poet's Lament won Best Māori Language show in 2009. The one-hour documentary drama celebrates the life and songs of Kohine Whakarua Ponika. The largely unsung Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou composer — who couldn't read a note of music, created some of the most popular Māori waiata written, including 'Aku Mahi', 'Kua Rongorongo' and 'E Rona E'. Mostly in Te Reo, the show features Kohine's whānau in dramatic roles, performances and interviews. Kohine's children produced a CD of her waiata, available on iTunes, which in turn inspired the documentary.

She is acknowledged as one of the best composers in the land.
– Bill Kerekere

Key Cast & Crew

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Ngahuia Wade

Director

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Maramena Roderick

Producer

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Mike Jonathan

Cinematographer

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Kohine Whakarua Ponika

Composer

Produced by

Te Noni Productions

Source

Te Noni Productions

Acknowledgements

Cast
Te Whanau a Kohine Whakarua Ponika
 

Music


Music composed by Kohine Whakarua Ponika 

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