The Neville Brothers - Keepers of the Flame

In 1992 Moana Maniapoto and the Moahunters enjoyed a first for a Kiwi group, taking their funky mix of Māori pop, poi and politics to New Orleans to perform at the city's annual Jazz and Heritage Festival. Their hosts were The Neville Brothers. The Grammy award-winning family group had visited Aotearoa in 1991 and forged a warm relationship with the South Auckland Māori community. This documentary follows the Moahunters and their whānau as they take in the culturally rich vibes of New Orleans. Politics and race issues are very much in the air — and in the music pouring out onto the streets of the city. 

While we were all singing down in the Deep South, on the West Coast thousands were rioting over the outcome of the Rodney King trial ... wherever we turned at the time, politics seemed to dominate the conversation and the music.

– Narrator Moana Maniapoto on the mood in New Orleans in 1992

Key Cast & Crew

Lisa Holder

Editor

Haunui Royal

Director, Writer

Rob Verhoeven

Editor

Alan Geary

Sound Recordist

Moana Maniapoto

Narrator

Murray Page

Camera