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Hero image for Tama Tū

Tama Tū

Short Film (Full Length) – 2004

PG
Parental Guidance
David Taylor
David Taylor
25 Apr 2023 - 09.04pm
We watched this on ANZAC Day and loved it. Such a simple concept, but portrayed with depth and a healthy dose of humour. Tama tū indeed!
Leticia
Leticia
30 Mar 2023 - 10.29am
love it.
Josh
Josh
26 Oct 2021 - 10.40am
great show!!
Donald
Donald
17 May 2021 - 02.56pm
taika gc
Russell Goodall
Russell Goodall
29 Dec 2020 - 04.56pm
Just brilliant. And all done with virtually no dialogue. Very funny even for a Pakeha Kiwi who hasn’t lived in NZ for decades. Kudos to Taika and his team.
Shane
Shane
25 Apr 2020 - 11.51am
I love this short movie. Especially watching it on an Anzac day. Absolutely beautiful.
Taika Waititi needs to make a full movie on the 28th Maori Battalion.

Lest we forget.
Kevinn walter
Kevinn walter
21 Apr 2015 - 05.03pm
Facial talk
Sione inukihaangana
Sione inukihaangana
13 Apr 2015 - 04.15pm
Awesome short film! It was hilarious and powerful. Loved the ending!
Wi O Te Rangi
Wi O Te Rangi
17 Mar 2015 - 09.49am
Hei hoa, moku, i te po
o taku whare okioki...
Ronnie
Ronnie
13 Mar 2015 - 10.59pm
beautifully made short film, and funny hahaha
K
K
11 Mar 2015 - 07.22pm
This is beautiful.
Susan Stephens
Susan Stephens
11 Mar 2015 - 12.26pm
Lots of emotions i te waa poto...awesome Taika, Ainsley, and Cliff xxx Kia ora
Glitch
Glitch
26 Nov 2014 - 12.13pm
Could be a good full length movie if extended. Tino Pai
greg Warrington
greg Warrington
13 Jun 2014 - 06.37am
Just read their war diary of it at victoria uni, they were damn good at what they did. no wonder the Germans and Italians respected them as front line soldiers.
Kymmy Stephens
Kymmy Stephens
2 Jun 2014 - 07.59pm
Best NZ Short Film - When our whanau watched Tama Tu for the first time we laughed and laughed, cracked up at all the familiar pranks and gestures, we felt connected to it on another level so its become a whanau tradition watching it at our reunions. Whanau never get sick of it. #Sgt.J.T.Ruru. C.Company Maori Battalion# Tama Tu # Tama Ora #Tama Toa
Starsim
Starsim
18 May 2014 - 09.09pm
Wow, what an awesome film!

Proud to be Maori and even more proud of those Maori who served.

I was wondering and have been for some years now if anyone will ever make a film about Maori during the War periods in the Pre-European era, say the 1500's? A film where it concludes with one Hapu fights another Hapu in a huge battle using just Taiaha, Patu and other ancient weaponry. It can be a Romeo & Juliet type story as well which also highlights the life of Maori on the Pa, day to day life, customs, beliefs and traditions like Ta Moko, marriage, training, medicines/healers and positions in the tribe, food, attitudes of the day, social issues, ideology and story telling, welcoming people (positive and negative) all the good stuff we want the world to see. It would be awesome to see it, like a mix of Rapanui, Apocalypto and Braveheart combined (so to speak). I think our stories and warriors are far superior to others... Just wish a film like that would come out to show it.

Love NZ films!
    TE ATAWHAI
TE ATAWHAI
5 May 2014 - 12.04pm
TOIHAU KAUA E KOTITI TE HAERE I RUNGA I NGA ROROHIKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
manawa
manawa
5 May 2014 - 11.55am
awesome film :) love it
Jonhson
Jonhson
5 May 2014 - 11.52am
Mean as bro crackup faces best flim ever
keith
keith
25 Apr 2014 - 08.27pm
WOW!!!! Brilliantly put together, awesome actors who had little to no dialogue to work with, just their bodies and facial expressions, awesome. It was amazing that after cracking up during the mischief things they were doing, a magpie (or whatever bird that was) flies in and it's back to being serious, which was quite a poignant part of the story really. I thought it was awesome glad to be watching it on ANZAC day. Lest we Forget.
Toarawherowhero
Toarawherowhero
25 Apr 2014 - 03.10pm
Turn this into a full length feature! Fear, Suspense, Joy and Sadness all in one. Awesome.
Bruce
Bruce
2 Mar 2014 - 10.49am
I have never seen this before. What an incredible piece. Dialogue by facial and body movements, yet riveting. I laughed hard at moments and then wondered if I should have when I considered the setting.
To those who made this, were involved in any way, Thank you.
Sonny
Sonny
24 Feb 2014 - 02.19pm
Wow that was amazing & funny at the same time
Darryl
Darryl
29 Jan 2014 - 11.57pm
Awesome!!!
Piki
Piki
14 Jan 2014 - 03.35pm
UK use Mr Bean to engage students in learning about the war. We should definitely be using this in the school curriculum.
ezra
ezra
6 Jan 2014 - 11.47am
mean short film. I like it. put it on tv.
Tony
Tony
19 Dec 2013 - 06.50pm
I'm an Australian teacher. I'll show this to the kids on Anzac Day.
Pele Takurua
Pele Takurua
2 Nov 2013 - 11.58pm
Ko runga tena e tama ma! U got da gift alright Taika
Tiaho
Tiaho
1 Nov 2013 - 12.05pm
Awesome story. Thank you filmmakers!
Nori Parata
Nori Parata
28 Oct 2013 - 07.07am
Nga mihi ki a koutou I hangaia te kiriata nei. Ka tangi te ngakau. E kore e wareware matau ki a ratau.
Wihiria Mark
Wihiria Mark
25 Oct 2013 - 11.11pm
Why on earth are these films not shown on television or on mainstream television. If it hadn't been mentioned by a tutor of mine, I would never have known about this short film. It deserves recognition, why can't NZFC promote our own movies. It's a really good short film that I'm sure more New Zealanders would watch if they knew it existed.
Tim Simpson
Tim Simpson
10 Oct 2013 - 07.07pm
Awesome!! My Grandfather was in the 28th Maori Battalion and was killed in the battle of Monte Cassino, Italy in February 1944... Also being an ex soldier myself, I can relate to the hilarity of the very smallest acts or items, which bonds men together during hardship. Thank you and well done.
Philip Bailey
Philip Bailey
28 Sep 2013 - 07.47pm
Absolutely brilliant!
Kimiora
Kimiora
21 Sep 2013 - 02.20am
Lest we forget
rob
rob
20 Sep 2013 - 10.37pm
thousands of miles away from our island we call home.
Matekino Olsen
Matekino Olsen
20 Sep 2013 - 07.02pm
That was amazing, wish they would make full length movies showing how awesome our tupuna were
Laurance
Laurance
17 Sep 2013 - 04.55pm
Wow he does it again. Kia Ora
Glenn Reddiex
Glenn Reddiex
10 May 2013 - 09.44pm
Whoa...strong tug on the heart string. This short film is simply superb. A mighty fine group of actors and Taika continues to impress.
Never was it more true than seen in this film 'actions speak louder than words'. A subtle raise of the eyebrows from me.
Ani Capper
Ani Capper
27 Apr 2013 - 05.23am
Ae tautoko ki nga korero i puta mai, very touching, sad & beautiful. Im certain this is exactly how our tupuna araa nga morehu hoia would have behaved and felt during that time in that place. Nga mihi aroha, Taika, Ainsley me Cliff.
David
David
21 Feb 2013 - 10.16pm
WOW! This film sent shivers up my spine!
Bruce Wilkinson
Bruce Wilkinson
7 Feb 2013 - 05.38pm
Appreciate all said before me - masterful and evocative. I hate the thought of where did they go from there? Did they survive? Sad to think of all who perished fighting war - on both sides.
Dionne Norman
Dionne Norman
6 Feb 2013 - 11.51am
This is a magnificent film. I have just sent the link to my whanau so they can also share. Poignantly beautiful in so many ways. There was a hidden strength in this film being filmed in 'silence'. Thank you for making this film.
Maureen Baines
Maureen Baines
13 Sep 2012 - 03.03pm
This is a beautiful film - outstanding. Courage, humour and compassion in every moment.
TJ
TJ
26 Apr 2012 - 05.29pm
My partner loves this visual. This short film shows that despite travelling to an unknown territory for war they would always remember where they came from. Favourite scene - throws stone at lookout, lookout responds with a silent 'what'.
Waim
Waim
25 Apr 2012 - 02.52pm
So typical of Maori boys......find humor in any situation, and I imagine that it would've been like that....this is a great short film
George Hiku
George Hiku
25 Apr 2012 - 10.45am
HAHA this really cracks ne out of ma boots
Zaelene Maxwell-Butler
Zaelene Maxwell-Butler
23 Apr 2012 - 05.47pm
I found out about this on Facebook and just had to watch. Very funny, very moving.....what happens next? I very much enjoy your work.

......tuturu whakamaua kia tina!!!!!

Paretoroa
Paretoroa
20 Apr 2012 - 10.58pm
It was so touching. Found it so easy to relate to the boys, easily able to see my brothers, sons, uncles and cousins mucking around doing dorky things and acting like eggs. And then to be brought back by the tohu, and the karakia scene was so poignant and taumaha. Truly masterful and evocative
Ren
Ren
11 Apr 2012 - 09.03am
I really enjoyed the film :)
otakimaori
otakimaori
24 Mar 2012 - 01.33am
nice
Tommy H
Tommy H
13 Mar 2012 - 06.39pm
He mere pounamu tenei pikitia. he whakaahua o matou tupuna kua wehi atu ra...e kitea mai nga kanohi, e hoki ki te whakaaro.....nga tamatoa o tumatauenga...tu mai te toki...aue taukuri eeeee.
28 maori battalion. Company A B C D. e kore matou e warewaretia.
a thought provoking short picture...hummmmm.............ka mau te wehi .Taika,Cliff,Ainsley and star actors..workers katoa....too much.
Able
Able
31 Jan 2012 - 11.49pm
There were 17 kiwi Infantry Battalions in WWII. Enjoyed the film, but would like to see a bit more light shone on some others for a change.
18th BN - 28th BN. And 29th, 30th, 34th, 35th, 36th and 37th.
There are some amazing stories out there that don't just revolve around one fine group of men in the 28th
Leanne
Leanne
29 Jan 2012 - 11.50am
Choice Bro!!
Frank
Frank
29 Jan 2012 - 10.53am
Really good short film with depth and feeling. But in recent years we have been bombarded with 28 Btn Material. I would like to see some of the many other Infantry battalions we sent over highlighted 18th, 19th, or 20th Btn (who had numerous VC winners). Lets not forget the other 190,000 odd NZ'ers who went overseas for their country.
Josh Hema
Josh Hema
27 Dec 2011 - 06.15am
He tino rawe tenei pikitia. Kua mau te pikitia nei i te hatekehitanga o tatou te iwi Maori. tuarua, te kaha o ratou nga hoia, nga tipuna hoki.
no reira, nga mihi Taika ma!
JARROD
JARROD
24 Dec 2011 - 04.17pm
mean maoris mean only sumfing kiwis kan relate too mean taika bro wenz da next one cumming out kuzz ull have to put me in it az well koz im a funny lookin maori cher cher JARUE
Vin
Vin
14 Nov 2011 - 04.03pm
Funny as, My Maori workmate and i watched this at work (security officers in aussie) and we were cracking up but still having to be quiet like the maori soldiers, made it even funnier....now we just have to give the big paused eyebrow lift lol and its on all over again...cheers Taika!
Alex
Alex
12 Oct 2011 - 07.57am
F***ing brilliant film. I am always looking for maori films. Unfortunately I am from england so it is hard for me to find.

Any suggestions??
Mahinaarangi
Mahinaarangi
10 Aug 2011 - 02.57pm
haruru ana te whenua ki hea koe tu ai Mr Waititi.. to rangatira hoki..
Tangihia
Tangihia
18 Jul 2011 - 08.50pm
Tautoko, absolutely, mean
Bennyboy
Bennyboy
18 Jul 2011 - 03.36pm
There should be a movie of New Zealand's role in the 2nd world war. Aussie keeps grabbing the spotlight. Peter Jackson & Taika should direct it.
BJ :)
BJ :)
9 Jun 2011 - 02.31pm
pretty mean bro
Nigel King
Nigel King
4 May 2011 - 01.14am
Nga mihi nui atu ki a koutou:D He pai rawa te whakaari, he mea hei whakahihi i te ngakau, he maori ahau!
Tekaru
Tekaru
2 May 2011 - 09.48pm
too much, this is an epic short movie... need to be able to download it somehere?

Tekaru - see the message from Julie Hill just above.
Ba Jay
Ba Jay
12 Apr 2011 - 01.09pm
Mean bro
15 Mar 2011 - 11.05am
@DAina Look for 'Buy It' at the bottom right of this page. Click there and you'll find info about where to buy this film.
DAina
DAina
10 Mar 2011 - 08.28pm
I saw this very late at night on SBS Australia and I've been raving about it to everyone since - please tell me where I can buy it!!
riki
riki
5 Feb 2011 - 05.03am
taika waititi, visionary extraordinaire.
Aaron
Aaron
28 Jan 2011 - 09.46pm
I watched this a few years ago on tv, and has haunted me since. Magnificent.
Stefan
Stefan
23 Jan 2011 - 03.40pm
Sure reminds you of what is important, eh.
Erena
Erena
16 Dec 2010 - 11.10pm
After having recently finished reading Patricia Grace's Tu and now viewing this, I'm moved to tears over the juxtaposed poignancy of the Maori Battalion experience. An excellent piece of work that encapsulates precisely what I can only imagine to be the triumph of the human spirit in times of confusion and crisis.
T Savage
T Savage
11 Nov 2010 - 03.08pm
and 3 generations later me and my mates still do the same stuff to each other bloody beautiful
Gavin
Gavin
10 Nov 2010 - 10.32am
Jesus, what a great film .. I served with the British Army during the Iraq war and in other combat areas and the humour and brotherhood was spot on. Kia Ora
hine
hine
27 Oct 2010 - 03.04pm
great movie tama tu love it ..x
Tarn
Tarn
20 Sep 2010 - 07.49am
Cool it's good to see or imagine what our battalion went thru.
Boy was cool but this is awesome. Has anyone seen the short film Taua? Awesome n wouldn't mind seeing a longer version if possible.
Nathan
Nathan
14 Sep 2010 - 10.24pm
Beautiful short film. It would be fabulous if someone made a film of Patricia Grace's masterful novel Tu. Taika would do the book justice.
Venus Yerkovich
Venus Yerkovich
7 Sep 2010 - 07.35pm
Such a pity "Boy" gets all the glory - Tama Tu is far superior in my view. Thanks NZONSCREEN.
Sharon
Sharon
7 Sep 2010 - 12.08am
Ti Hei Mauri ora!
Venus Yerkovich
Venus Yerkovich
29 May 2010 - 12.47am
watched it again. great stuff.
Theresaaaaaaaa
Theresaaaaaaaa
5 May 2010 - 10.28pm
That was so interesting! Taika Waititi is such a genius, I adore his work. <3
parsh connelly hill
parsh connelly hill
26 Apr 2010 - 01.52pm
wow how amazing...it reminds me when my grandfather was in the maori battalian ..so loved it...lest we 4get..n honour them 4 their great courage n bravery...
Michael
Michael
24 Apr 2010 - 10.00pm
Aue Ihu Tirohia Arohaina Iho Ra Whakaaetia Ake Au Ki Tou Uma Piri Ai...Hiki Nuku, Hiki Rangi E Hika Ma O Te Pakanga Tuarua O Te Ao. Tē Wareware. Moe Mai Ra.
Natarsha
Natarsha
27 Mar 2010 - 08.45pm
awesome Taika Waititi - it represents the maori bonds. tei hei mauri ora!
Krystal-lee Brown
Krystal-lee Brown
8 Mar 2010 - 07.14pm
Absolutely amazing, the whole thing, I love that the longest dialogue you hear is the karakia. just goes to show the intensity of karakia and us as maori how so few words could possibly guide us with courage and strength to overcome anything, the humour - crack up : typical maori boys, such a serious situation but the humour just makes you forget about what's going on outside. my favourite shot, the very last shot we see before it ends - the carving next to the toy soldier, the way the carving was positioned behind the soldier as the soldier is facing in the other direction, to me, looks like the carving is a symbolism of a kaitiaki or their matua tupuna watching over them, supporting them, standing behind them. chuuurrr Taika Waititi ! MEAN SHORT!! using this short for a assignment at uni. =p
Ian
Ian
1 Feb 2010 - 04.24pm
Great short! It's usually hard to keep the audience interested throughout when there is no talking, but the silence and body language really work here. Very effective. I loved the whole scene with aiming at the German soldier. And the song used in the credits is just beautiful.
Venus Yerkovich
Venus Yerkovich
21 Nov 2009 - 01.32am
can't believe there are no comments so far.
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