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Patu!

1983 Film
  • Te Reo
  • Educational
  • Documentary
  • NZ History
  • Māori
More info
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About

Merata Mita’s Patu! charts the protests that took place across New Zealand in the winter of 1981, before and during a South African rugby tour. Testament to the courage and faith of both the marchers and a large team of filmmakers, the feature documentary is seen as a landmark in New Zealand screen history. It staunchly contradicts claims by author Gordon McLauchlan of New Zealanders being "a passionless people". Conflicting views about the tour spread to the film itself, with some saying it shouldn't have got any state funding. In 1993, a shortened version screened on TVNZ. Read about Patu! and the tour here.

See more

Radio interview on the restoration of Patu! by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Radio New Zealand, July 2021

Article on the impact of Patu!, The Spinoff, July 2021

Video interview with Patu! editor Annie Collins, Ngā Taonga website

Section on the 1981 Springbok tour, NZ History website

Live radio report on protests during the first match, in Gisborne, Te Ara website

Article looking back on anti-tour protests in Hamilton, The Waikato Times, July 2021

Article on 1981 anti-tour protests near Parliament, NZ History website

Tribute to African National Congress member Andrew Moletsane (who makes speeches in Patu!), SA History website

Key Cast & Crew

Profile picture of Merata Mita
Merata Mita
Director
Profile picture of Gerd Pohlmann
Gerd Pohlmann
Coordinator
Profile picture of Annie Collins
Annie Collins
Editor
BH
Barry Harbert
Lead Camera Operator
RP
Rod Prosser
Additional Camera Operator
Profile picture of Tama Poata
Tama Poata
Subject

Related images

Patu_-Gallery-1.jpg
The police frontline, during the 1981 Springbok tour.
Kindly provided by The Post
patu.jpg
The poster for Merata Mita's feature-length documentary Patu! (1983).  
Brian_Shennan_1_Patu.jpg
The post-production phase of 1983 documentary Patu!. From left to right, director Merata Mita, editor Annie Collins and sound mixer Brian Shennan.
Supplied by Brian Shennan
Close_Up_Patu.png
Director Merata Mita talks about Patu!, in a 1983 Close Up interview.
Screen grab

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