We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.

Tame Iti - The Man Behind the Moko

Television (Full Length) – 2005

This documentary presents insight into the man most New Zealanders know as the Māori radical with a moko. Delving beyond the sensational headlines, it presents Tame Iti in the context of his whānau and beliefs. Iti tells his own story: from growing up in his beloved Urewera, and his role in organisation Ngā Tamatoa, to heroes (Rua Kenana, Che Guevara), moko, match-making and a late-starting art career. Iti’s children reflect on an activist father who “is a kid at heart”. Chelsea Winstanley's documentary screened on TV2, before Iti’s arrest during the infamous 2007 ‘Urewera raids’.

He said 'I don’t want you to get arrested today son, cos I need someone to come and bail me out' …
– Wairere Iti

Key Cast & Crew

Profile image for Desray Armstrong

Desray Armstrong

Producer

Profile image for Chelsea Winstanley

Chelsea Winstanley

Co-Producer, Camera, Director

Generic Profile image for Tame Iti

Tame Iti

Subject

Generic Profile image for Mike Weston

Mike Weston

Composer

Generic Profile image for John Renata

John Renata

Camera

Generic Profile image for Richard Cooper

Richard Cooper

Camera

See all 8 credits

Produced by

Logo for Kiwa Media

Kiwa Media

Source

Logo for Kiwa Media

Kiwa Media

If you liked this, you might also like...

Collection
Collection image for The Protest Collection

The Protest Collection

A collection which spans decades of public protest in...

Thumbnail image for The Price of Peace

The Price of Peace

2015 documentary involving Tama Iti

Thumbnail image for Muru

Muru

Tame Iti acted in this movie about the 2007 Urewera raids

Thumbnail image for Ngā Tamatoa: 40 Years On

Ngā Tamatoa: 40 Years On

Tame Iti also features in this documentary

Thumbnail image for Children of the Revolution

Children of the Revolution

Tame's son Toi reflects on being an activist's son

Thumbnail image for Operation 8

Operation 8

Film on the 2007 Urewera raids, where Tame Iti was arrested

Thumbnail image for Keskidee Aroha

Keskidee Aroha

Features a young Tame Iti

Thumbnail image for Heartland - Ruatāhuna

Heartland - Ruatāhuna

Heartland visits Tūhoe country

Thumbnail image for Restoring the Mauri of Lake Omapere

Restoring the Mauri of Lake Omapere

Tame Iti created the name for the trust that made this

Thumbnail image for Radicals

Radicals

Documentary on modern Māori protest

Thumbnail image for Syd Jackson: Life and Times of a Fully Fledged Activist

Syd Jackson: Life and Times of a Fully Fledged Activist

Tame Iti talks about Syd Jackson

Thumbnail image for The New Zealand Wars 5 - The East Coast Wars (Episode Five)

The New Zealand Wars 5 - The East Coast Wars (Episode Five)

Features a notorious raid into the Urewera in 1916

Thumbnail image for Loose Enz - The Protesters

Loose Enz - The Protesters

Māori activism from a story by Tama Poata

Thumbnail image for  The Last Laugh

The Last Laugh

This documentary features Tame Iti

Thumbnail image for Rangatira: In the Blood / He Toto i Tuku iho - Donna Awatere Huata

Rangatira: In the Blood / He Toto i Tuku iho - Donna Awatere Huata

Documentary on Ngā Tamatoa member Donna Awatere Huata

Thumbnail image for Loading Docs 2018 - The Cube of Truth

Loading Docs 2018 - The Cube of Truth

More activism

Thumbnail image for The Governor 1 - The Reverend Traitor (First Episode)

The Governor 1 - The Reverend Traitor (First Episode)

More headline-grabbing activism: this time from Hōne Heke

Thumbnail image for Journeys in National Parks: Te Urewera

Journeys in National Parks: Te Urewera

A Barry Barclay-directed journey into te Urewera

Thumbnail image for Children of the Mist

Children of the Mist

A 1974 documentary on Tūhoe

Thumbnail image for Meathead

Meathead

Chelsea Winstanley also produced this Cannes-selected short

Thumbnail image for Stray

Stray

Also produced by Desray Armstrong