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Moana Roa

Short Film (Full Length) – 1951

This 1951 National Film Unit production looks at the Cook Islands, and marks the 50th anniversary of the islands’ annexation in 1901. Unusually long (half an hour) for an NFU film, it shows history ("Vikings of the Pacific" through Captain Cook to New Zealand administration) and island life: spear-fishing, catamaran sailing, breadfruit gathering, weaving, dancing and singing. The islands are depicted as paradise guided by NZ paternalism, with the Islanders grateful recipients of modern communication, technology, health services, education, and... tinned meat.

Once a native priest told him when to plough and when to plant. Today he has an agricultural expert behind him to help get the best out of his land.
– From the narration

Key Cast & Crew

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Ashley Heenan

Composer

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Russell Reid

Director, Writer, Editor

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Dick Crone

Camera

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Ian Houston

Sound Recordist

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Kenneth Firth

Narrator

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Charles Bennett

Narrator

See all 9 credits