Tom's Dairy

Oscar Kightley's short film directing debut draws on his childhood memories of West Auckland life in the 1980s. Johnny (Mac Kuisava) is a budding writer and romantic, who faces a moral dilemma when he finds a lost wallet in a phone box outside his local dairy. Keenly aware of his surroundings, Jonny's influenced by streetwise older brother Moses (John Vaifale) but senses he can make a different life for himself using his creativity. The award-winning film touches on many issues — the clash between second and first generation Samoan Kiwis, casual police racism and the pains of growing up. 

All white kids have their own rooms.

– Moses (John Vaifale) tells his little brother Johnny (Mac Kaisuva) how life is

Key Cast & Crew

John Vaifale

As: Moses

Grant McKinnon

Cinematographer

Mac Kaisuva

As: Johnny

John Clarke (actor)

As: Tom

Elizabeth Mitchell

Producer

Oscar Kightley

Director, Writer