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Hero image for The Life and Times of Te Tutu - Series One

The Life and Times of Te Tutu - Series One

Television (Full Length Episodes) – 2000

Set in the mid 1800s, this take no prisoners comedy follows Māori chief Te Tutu (Pio Terei), and his interactions with three settlers from England: the arrogant Henry Vole, his long-suffering wife, and an upper class twit named Herrick. As indicated by this episode guide, the seven episodes of season one take potshots at everything from religion to land grabs, to the Treaty of Waitangi. En route, there are singing priests (episode four), chopped flagpoles (episode six) and cameos by Ian Mune (episode six) and musician Dalvanius Prime (episode one). The talent-packed cast also includes early appearances by Jason Hoyte, Rachel House and Jonny Brugh. The show was created by TV veteran Ray Lillis.  

We just took the piss out of the way the colonials were — you know, the way they worked their women. Terrible — you wouldn't marry a Pākehā!
– Pio Terei, in his ScreenTalk interview for NZ On Screen

Produced by

Pipi Productions

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