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Lifting of the Makutu

Exempt 2005 45m Television
  • Documentary
  • Māori

June Miru's first child died soon after his birth in 1963. All four of her surviving daughters went on to give birth to sons with the same deformities, all of whom died soon after birth. Award-winning documentary Lifting of the Makutu explores the relationship between the Miru/Tito whanāu and Stephen Robertson, a paediatrician and geneticist who worked doggedly for seven years to give the family a scientific answer as to why seven baby boys died. June, along with daughters Phyllis, Karen, Shona and Noki-Jane discuss years of grief, and June's dread about a 'makutu' or Māori curse hanging over the whanāu.

Lifting of the Makutu | NZ On Screen