Neighbourhood - Ōtara (with Joe Naufahu)

Former professional rugby player turned actor Joe Naufahu presents this episode of series Neighbourhood exploring his Ōtara roots. The suburb sprang up in the 1950s and soon Māori, Pākehā and Pacific Island migrants made Ōtara one of the fastest growing suburbs in New Zealand. With 68 percent of the suburb being Pasifika in 2013, the younger generation are fighting back against negative headlines. Naufahu meets young Ōtara architect and artist, Martin Leung-Wai, who draws on his Polynesian and Asian whakapapa in his work. The Sistema Orchestra proves Pasifika children can excel in classical music, and Cook Islands Māori artist Leilani Kake discusses the finer details of Cook Islands tīvaevae quilting.

I used to be shy of saying where I'm from, but as I succeeded in my degree and done amazing things I started to just be proud of where I come from, like Ōtara. People ask me, "Oh, where are you from?", "I'm from Ōtara!"

– Artist Martin Leung-Wai on being proud of his roots in Ōtara

Key Cast & Crew

Joe Naufahu

Presenter

Mark Chamberlin

Cinematographer

Samantha Blackley

Producer

Reuben Pillsbury

Director

Mitchell Hawkes

Director

Justin Hawkes

Director