Critic Shelf
Home
Discover
Sign in
Your rating
Tap a star, half steps count

Māori

The hongi is a greeting of affection: aroma. 'Aroha': love or compassion, is the vine that binds the tribe.
Jul 25, 1981 · 21m
No ratings yet
Documentary
History

PLOT

This 1981 NFU film is a tour of the contemporary world of Aotearoa’s tangata whenua. It won headlines over claims that its portrayal of Māori had been sanitised for overseas viewers. Debate and a recut ensued. Writer Witi Ihimaera felt that mentions of contentious issues (Bastion Point, the land march) in his original script were ignored or elided in the final film, and withdrew from the project. He later told journalists that the controversy showed that educated members of minority groups were no longer prepared to let the majority interpret the minority view.

REVIEWS

View reviews

DETAILS

Status
Released
Original language
EN
Budget
—
Revenue
—
Production
The National Film Unit, New Zealand National Film Unit
Country
NZ

SIMILAR TITLES

The World's Fastest Indian
2005
Goodbye to All Cats
2022
Urban Elder
Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again
2021
The Kaipara Affair
2005
Ka Mate! Ka Mate!
1987
Critic Shelf
Rate what you watch, show it on shelves, and compare taste with anyone. Film and TV data from TMDB.
ACCOUNT
Sign in
Create account
Delete account
COMPANY
About
Contact
Privacy
Terms
This product uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.
© 2026 Critic Shelf
WATCH · RATE · COMPARE