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.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for Uenuku

Uenuku

Television (Full Length) – 1974

Geoff Murphy (Utu) directed this freewheeling adaptation of the Māori legend of Uenuku and his affair with mist maiden Hinepūkohurangi. The story of love, betrayal, and redemption was the first Māori myth adapted for television — and the first TV drama performed entirely in te reo. The Listener softened viewers by printing a translation before it aired. Filmed at the Waimarama base of Murphy and cinematographer Alun Bollinger, Uenuku was produced by company Peach Wemyss Astor for the NZ Broadcasting Corporation — a rare independently produced TV drama in the 1970s. 

A Maori language film ahead of its time.
– Roger Horrocks in book New Zealand Film - An Illustrated History

Key Cast & Crew

Generic Profile image for Faenza Reuben

Faenza Reuben

As: Uenuku

Generic Profile image for Bill Kerekere

Bill Kerekere

Narrator

Profile image for Alun Bollinger

Alun Bollinger

Cinematographer

Profile image for Bob Lapresle

Bob Lapresle

Writer

Generic Profile image for Aroha Gallo

Aroha Gallo

As: Hinepūkohurangi

Profile image for Geoff Murphy

Geoff Murphy

Director

See all 21 credits

Produced by

  • Acme Sausage Company

  • Peach Wemyss Astor

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

Collection
Collection image for The Matariki Collection

The Matariki Collection

A selection of iconic Māori TV, film and music video for...

Collection
Collection image for The Geoff Murphy Collection

The Geoff Murphy Collection

This collection pays tribute to filmmaker Geoff Murphy —...

Thumbnail image for The Killing of Kane

The Killing of Kane

Another pioneering drama involving Maori

Thumbnail image for Utu Redux

Utu Redux

A later Geoff Murphy film on a Māori topic

Thumbnail image for The Governor
Series

The Governor

More groundbreaking bicultural TV

Thumbnail image for Aroha - Irikura

Aroha - Irikura

Another love story in te reo

Thumbnail image for Death of the Land

Death of the Land

The first TV drama to be scripted by a Māori

Thumbnail image for Tank Busters

Tank Busters

Another Acme Sausage Company production

Thumbnail image for Ghosts of Gondwana

Ghosts of Gondwana

Māori myths of the night, with Hirini Melbourne

Thumbnail image for Making Utu

Making Utu

Chronicle of another Geoff Murphy film on a Māori topic

Thumbnail image for AEIOU

AEIOU

A pioneering te reo music video

Thumbnail image for Hurry Hurry Faster Faster

Hurry Hurry Faster Faster

Another early Geoff Murphy film

Thumbnail image for Charlie Horse

Charlie Horse

More Waimarama filming

Thumbnail image for Tangata Whenua - Waikato

Tangata Whenua - Waikato

Uenuku is sacred to the Tainui people

Thumbnail image for Pukemanu - Pukemanu Welcomes You (first episode)

Pukemanu - Pukemanu Welcomes You (first episode)

Early TV drama which included some te reo

Thumbnail image for Journeys in National Parks: Te Urewera

Journeys in National Parks: Te Urewera

Urewera explorations directed by Barry Barclay

Thumbnail image for Te Rerenga Wairua

Te Rerenga Wairua

More Māori legend

Thumbnail image for Tangaroa

Tangaroa

More Māori myth

Thumbnail image for Te Karere - Waitangi Day 1984

Te Karere - Waitangi Day 1984

Te reo current affairs

Thumbnail image for Landscape - Muttonbirders

Landscape - Muttonbirders

Bob Lapresle also worked on this

Thumbnail image for Primeval Survivors

Primeval Survivors

More music from Jack Body

Thumbnail image for Aroha - Tiare

Aroha - Tiare

More in te reo, featuring Stacey Morrison

Thumbnail image for Landscape - Friday in a Country Town (Tūākau)

Landscape - Friday in a Country Town (Tūākau)

Writer Bob Lapresle also produced this documentary

Thumbnail image for Rewi's Last Stand / The Last Stand

Rewi's Last Stand / The Last Stand

A movie based on historical Māori/Pākehā conflict

Thumbnail image for Ever the Land

Ever the Land

Documentary about creating a landmark Tūhoe building

Thumbnail image for Barefoot Cinema - The Life and Art of Cinematographer Alun Bollinger

Barefoot Cinema - The Life and Art of Cinematographer Alun Bollinger

Uenuku is discussed, 16 minutes in