This Way of Life

On the face of it, this is a great film about this family but can't help thinking the film-makers did an huge injustice to the Māori side of the wider family ie the step-father. There was no explanation of what caused the original rift and the role Peter and Colleen played in it. Peter is the Pākehā step-son somehow possibly claiming rights to land and a house he was not entitled to! We don't know this and the film-maker didn't bother to clarify such details instead we see her admonishing the elder for not loving his family! What a presumption! The romanticised picture of this wild horseman roaming the lands with his beautiful tribe of photogenic children may fit the westerners dream idyllic life but it smacks of colonised dominance which indigenous people are well used to....

I'd like to hear the other side of the story. The stepfather and his siblings story. What caused the huge rift?

I can't make any better comments than those that have come before me. Inspiring, the rawness of where they live and their truly remarkable family spirit that comes so natural to Peter, Colleen and the kids. To be living this style in the 21st century is amazing. Indeed a beautiful story.

I have just watched this program, I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. These people are such beautiful people, the children are wonderful. No matter what life throws at them they come up smelling of roses. The way they are bringing up their children, made me wish I was one of there's and Im 61. Can I come live with you please, lol. Love they live very basic, but so very happy. What a life, happy well adjusted children and Peter and Colleen I wish you the very best in what life brings you. Love you all.

So glad I stumbled across this taonga. Beautifully shot and incredibly compelling. Loved hearing both parents describe each of their children's traits and personalities. Was great to see this adoration for their kids regardless of life's curve balls. Intrigued to see how this family is getting on today. Thanks!

Eine ganz besondere Familie, besondere Menschen. Traurig,rührend, hoffnungsvoll, mehr davon. Tolle Kameraführung.

I love this real-life story, only watched it last night. God is very much part of their every day life so beautifully shared, very refreshing in this materialistic world. I love the way they raise their children, teaching them the basic way of life. It is heart warming to know that there are parents out there still, who understand the real value of a simple life. Well done Peter and Colleen.

I discovered this film in our local library. What a perfect choice! I am profoundly moved by it as it touches on many of my own life experiences. i recommend it to anyone.

This documentary viewed last night. I am reminded of how much we have in terms of material things, and how these things are not important. The Ottley-Karena family are just gorgeous. What a beautiful woman Colleen is, inside and out. So glad I watched the documentary.

Thanks Thomas and Barbara.

Profoundly moved by this wonderful film. I want to buy a copy if possible. - SK

Beautiful, Sad, Inspirational cant wait for part 2. Huge aroha to Thomas and Barbara and of course the Ottley-Karena family

I also would love to see a sequel. We all use the inspirational word far too often but in this case it applies in bucket loads - they have inspired me to be better parent for a start

I really enjoyed this doco... I would love to see a sequel.... I wanna see how all the family is doing now!! 😃

I so loved this doc. What a beautiful couple. Such strong and loving values and I wish everyone had the strength of mind to find their truth as this couple have. And yes, WOULD LOVE TO SEE A SEQUEL.

I live in Perth and only saw this doco screened the other night.
Colleen and Peter, you are both INSPIRATIONAL!
Would love to see a sequel. Commendations to the producers
of this doco, great work!

Any chance there will be a follow up movie to update us all on how the Karena family is doing now. A fabulous family.We wish them well.

thanku to the karena whanau...u certainly are a true testimony to following your heart. You remind of whats important..thankyou. tino ataahua whanau

I have just seen this Doco..WOW!!!!!! It really blew me away,what a Beautiful family..I just love the way they are raising their children,such respect all round.I think we all Dream for such Freedom.Peter and colleen you are such a Insperation .Don't ever change...

Just watched this movie I am so inspired by this family:) people can learn from this family on how u should treat one another this world would be a much better place bless u and ur family xx

so brave to be so free

I dream of a life like theirs, they're are all so pure and soulful. This is like a real life version of the movie Avatar, i love it. And if I should ever meet them in this lifetime it would be a blessing. arohanui(:

When I first seen this on DVD, I could not get this spectacular family out of my head for months. Colleen and Peter are the most outstanding parents I know of, all of their children are unique. I recently got their new book out and I am head over heels with this whanau all over again. I wish I was just like Colleen, my partner is a lot like Peter ( just not as gentle and patient as him though) and I would love to raise my children the way they do...The Ottley- Karena family really raised my awareness of what family values should be, and that we don't need a flash house, car and all the gadgets to feel successful. One day I hope to meet them with my family too. Colleen, Peter and to all your beautiful children, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for opening my eyes.

I saw this movie two years ago when I was 12 and absolutely loved it. A few months earlier Peter had taken me on a horse trek, and it was a amazing. The horses were beautiful and Peter is the nicest guy I've ever met. I'm proud to be able to say I have met him, and this movie was incredibly inspirational.

Hi Carol,

Look for the 'Availability' box (below right, when you are looking at the main 'Overview' page for This Way of Life). You can press on the 'Cloud South Films' link there, to buy the film and the This Way of Life book.

Is there anywhere else that I can purchase this film? I'm having trouble with the site mentioned below.

I watched this film on ABC TV and felt as though the Karenas were my own family. I'm inspired by seeing a family living their values every day, come what may. The film left me wanting to know more - about how Peter and Colleen formed the values they are imparting to their children, how they chose to live the life they did, what kind of teaching they do at home for their children - and most of all, how have things worked out for them since This Way of Life?
I try every day to raise my small son to be a decent, loving person above all else. I share Peter and Colleen's concern that life "won't be what they're used to". I hope my son and the Karenas will meet some day, share a herb tea and some ideas, and inspire each other.
Thank you for sharing this part of your lives with us.

This wonderful film is now available as a legal download on www.onlinefilm.org. The filmmakers Sumner and Thomas Burstyn uploaded it themselves on our platform and released the download and the stream for 6€ to 8€. We would be pleased if you would visit our site: http://onlinefilm.org/en_EN/film/45094
Thank you for your notice!
Kind regards from the Onlinefilm Team

this film touched my heart. Peter, Colleen and the children are a beautiful family and i pray they continue to live as free spirits just as God intended.

I wonder if Peter did go ahead with his horse riding business.
kind regards, mary

This has just been shown in South Auz - and in amongst many emotions, it made me homesick - think it was the shot of Bare Island that did it!!. What an amazing couple. Not all of society would agree this is the way to raise children but perhaps if more did it this way there would be less troubled youth. I know we probably only saw the good bits of the kids but it made me want to throw out my own childrens PSP ipad ninetendo etc and get them back to grass roots. What incredible horsemen they were and how great to see children not wrapped up in cotten wool. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

This movie should be on main stream tv and sky movies. It makes you think about your own values about life and what's important. These two parents are now my 'yard sticks' to which I want to aspire too. They are so humble yet the strength the show through adversities is incredible. As a man and father he has such wisdom, compassion and insight into his relationship with each child and his beautiful wife. So sad to see how a lesser man (his adoptive father) caused so much sadness in their lives and was such a bully. The story telling is subtle but powerful and completely genius. Would be amazing to meet this family but I am just thankful that their story is documented and will go on to inspire others. Thank you to the Karena Whanau. God bless you all, you are a beautiful incredible family.....

Wow ! This film reminds me of my own childhood, I laughed and cryed then rang the whanau and told them to watch it. Beautiful guys! I wish Peter and his whanau all the very best, thank you for reminding me of great times, riding horses, living off the land, looking after each other! and the fact that All you need is love, good values laugher and kai not flash things! Stay true guys!

I loved this movie so much, from beginning to end, what an inspirational movie!

i just watched this movie & it was uniquely kiwi & showed spectacular footage of our aotearoa.

OMG what a beautiful whanau. So sad they have to endure such hate that stems from Peters step dad. But because of his love for his wife and children and their love for him, nothing will bring them down. Why isnt this film shown on TV2 or TV3, I think all of NZ actually the world should see this movie. Peter and his family prove over and over, all you need is love. What lucky kids to be bought up in such an amazing lifestyle. Never mind racing up the hill on bikes, why not race along the sand on horses. How cool. I cant stop watching this film. Just love ever bit of it.

Deeply moving. Sad that this way of life may soon be lost forever. Peter the father shows his love for his wife and children in tangibly moving ways. It's a hard life trying to live by your values alone.

Saw it on Maori TV tonight. A truly beautiful and moving film. Thankyou!

What an awesome family you have captured on this film. Im sure this world would be a much better place if our values for life and each other were modelled on the values of the Ottley-Karena family.

wow. this is a winner

Absolutely beautiful, fantastic, best ever...should be NZ Tourism advert. But what a loser of a step father: if he was my whanau I'd give him what for.

What an extraordinary family - it was an honour to meet them and view the quality of their love for each other through your outstanding film. Thank you to the family, and thanks to you as film makers for finding and honouring their amazing lives and journey in one of the most moving films I have ever seen. Sue B.

This was a WONDERFUL film and I'm sure to buy it to give to my family as soon as I can find out when/where from. I watched it at the Amnesty International mini film festival at UofA and LOVED IT - such a BEAUTIFUL film. Thank you so much to Mr and Mrs Burstyn for coming along to answer our questions - what an opportunity for us to meet the makers of such an amazing piece of art. Thank you to the Karana family for letting us see in to your life and marvel at your strength, love and passion for living. It has inspired me - I'll be taking my horses off in to the sunset...just after my exams! :)

An example of tolerance and forgiveness & enriched by the bond of love and trust and harmony that should be emulated by everyone.
The most profound words were" In life you can never take your words back"
Truly an inspiring and magnificently filmed story.
Loved everything about it.
May the force s of good always remain with your family.
God has truly blessed you. Addressesd to (The Karana family)

rhys duncan - tom what a masterpiece beautiful

Beautiful, love it!