The Waimate Conspiracy

Longtime policeman Stef Harris jumped into moviemaking with this feature-length adaptation of his 1999 novel The Waikikamukau Conspiracy. When he failed to get funding for his tale of a Māori land claim in small town South Canterbury, it was shot as a mockumentary in just six days. As George Kepa, Jim Moriarty manages to be endearing in his determination to regain his people’s land at any cost, while Mark Hadlow lampoons the judicial system, and Helen Pearse-Otene struggles to do what's right. The film won multiple awards — including Best Digital Feature at the 2007 NZ Screen Awards.

This is an inspiring work. It's as if the camera left the film set for a bit and came out right amongst us. That's exactly what we were seeking to achieve with Ngāti.

– Director Barry Barclay

Key Cast & Crew

David McPhail

As: Judge Henry

Helen Pearse-Otene

As: Zena Kepa

Mark Hadlow

As: Mr Glue QC

Stef Harris

Director, Writer, Original Author, Producer

Gerard Smyth

Cinematographer, As: Dave the Cameraman

Jim Moriarty

As: George Kepa