Taua

Taua

2007 · 15 min · Drama

After a successful raid and having captured a rival village's leader, a war party must drag their huge canoe or "Taua" through the forest to reach the sea and escape with their trophy but even in a forest of their native land water can be scarce. As the warriors, driven by their insistent chief, press towards home, two boys are tasked to protect the precious water and keep an eye on the prisoner, but need and desperation grows for all as the story drives to a climax.

Directed by Tearepa Kahi · Written by Tearepa Kahi

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

1h 43m together

Taua

Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen

Both from Tearepa Kahi.

More from Tearepa KahiSee all →

The Maori Merchant of Venice

The Maori Merchant of Venice · 2002

The Maori Merchant of Venice

A modern day take on the classic bard tale - with Silver as a movie producer.

Poi E: The Story of Our Song

Poi E: The Story of Our Song · 2016

Poi E: The Story of Our Song

MovieMusicDocumentary

Written and directed by Tearepa Kahi (Mt Zion) and starring Maaka Pohatu (The Modern Maori Quartet, Two Little Boys) the film tells the story of musician Dalvanius Prime and the origin of the song “Poi E”, a ground-breaking fusion of 1980s pop and traditional Māori music. “Poi E”, composed by Dalvanius and Ngoingoi Pēwhairangi and performed by the Patea Māori Club, remains the only song in Te Reo Māori to reach No 1 in the charts, over 30 years since its 1984 release.

Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen

Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen · 2019

Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen

MovieDocumentary

This film is an intimate portrayal of pioneering filmmaker Merata Mita told through the eyes of her children. Using hours of archive footage, some never before seen, her youngest child and director Hepi Mita discovers the filmmaker he never knew and shares the mother he lost, with the world.

The Raid

The Raid · 2022

MovieDramaAction

Inspired by actual events, MURU is the story of a local Police Sergeant ‘Taffy’ Tāwharau, who must choose between duty to his badge or his people, when the Government invoke antiterrorism powers to launch an armed raid on Taffy’s remote Urewera community, on a school day. This gripping action drama is not a re-creation, but a response to the 2007 Tūhoe raids. MURU is a Māori concept for 'forgiveness’.

Sgt. Haane

Sgt. Haane · 2026

MovieWarDocumentary

This documentary-drama film follows Lance Sgt. Haane Manahi DCM of B Company, 28th Māori Battalion, a soldier of extraordinary courage, whose actions proved pivotal in the 1943 battle for the fortified summit of Takrouna, Tunisia.

Mt. Zion

Mt. Zion · 2013

Turei, a talented young musician, dreams of his band winning the audition to be the support act for Bob Marley’s 1979 concert in Auckland. Part of a Māori family of contract potato pickers in Pukekohe, Turei’s desperate ambition clashes with his whanau’s traditional values, leading to an emotional showdown and powerful change.

Herbs: Songs of Freedom

Herbs: Songs of Freedom · 2019

Herbs: Songs of Freedom

MovieDocumentary

Five men from different islands throughout the South Pacific join forces in 1978 and find the words and the music within each other to give New Zealand its voice and Pacific place in the world.

The Winter Boy

The Winter Boy · 2010

A mother tries to comfort her grieving son, but on each attempt her son’s silence becomes more and more deafening. An outing to the local aquarium places further strain on their troubled relationship - until her son finds a reason to let his mother in again.

Allan Baldwin: In Frame

Allan Baldwin: In Frame · 2011

Allan Baldwin: In Frame

MovieDocumentary

"In the 60s a photographer, Allan Baldwin, travels across New Zealand. His camera captures the magical faces of elderly people, full of wisdom whose chin bears the Maori tattoo. This documentary is a tribute to the now disappeared elders."

Kairākau

Kairākau · 2016

SeriesDramaAction & Adventure

Ancient Māori heroes of yesteryear, re-discovered, re-examined and re-imagined.

More Like This

Couldn't load this row right now.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter