Mahana

Inspired by Witi Ihimaera's Bulibasha, Mahana saw director Lee Tamahori making his first film on local soil since a very different family tale: 1994's Once Were Warriors. Temuera Morrison stars as a 60s era farming patriarch who makes it clear his family should have absolutely nothing to do with rival family the Poatas. Then romance enters the picture, and son Simeon sets out to find out how the feud first started. The powerhouse Māori cast includes Nancy Brunning (who is included in the interview clips) and Jim Moriarty. Mahana debuted at the 2016 Berlin Film Festival, before NZ release. 

It's very rare for people to return, let alone to a film with a much lower budget than anything he’s done, since Warriors. We have Witi to thank for this. His book, Bulibasha, really appealed to Lee because it’s about the people he knows and loves and wants to see portrayed on film.

– Producer Robin Scholes on director Lee Tamahori

Key Cast & Crew

Temuera Morrison

As: Tamihana Mahana

Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper

Composer

Witi Ihimaera

Original Author, Associate Producer

Lee Tamahori

Director

Aroha Rawson

As: Aunt Ruth

Janine Dickins

Producer