Set in 1864 in Aotearoa New Zealand, Ka Whawhai Tonu tells the story of an important battle during the initial land wars in the Waikato region. It shows the clash between Māori and Colonial forces, where two rangatahi find themselves caught up in the chaos of battle.

The intense retelling of history in this film may be upsetting or confronting for viewers who whakapapa Māori, particularly descendants of those who fought in this land war or one of the many historic land wars between Māori and Colonial forces.

Directed by Michael Jonathan
Starring Temuera Morrison, Miriama Smith, Cliff Curtis
Te reo language with English subtitles
Aotearoa’s first feature-length te reo film

Rated M : Violence, offensive language & content that may disturb