Events 2013

Tatarakihi: The Children of Parihaka

Film and korero

For Matariki 2013, the Michael King Writers' Centre has organised a screening of this powerful and moving film followed by a korero/panel discussion including the film-maker Paora Te Oti Takarangi Joseph.

Tatarakihi: The Children of Parihaka tells the story of a group of Parihaka children following in the footsteps of their ancestors, who were brutally transported to the South Island after the Taranaki land confiscations in the 1860s. The film is narrated by the children and combines footage of their hikoi. It premiered during the New Zealand International Film Festival in 2012 and has been screened to packed houses at film festivals around New Zealand, to acclaim.

The film will be shown at The Vic Theatre in Devonport, Monday June 24, 7.30 pm.

This is a free event, funded from the Auckland Council's Creative Communities Scheme. 

A new documentary from Documentary Edge award-winning producer/director Paora Joseph and executive producer Gaylene Preston, Tatarakihi – The Children of Parihaka, will have its world premiere as part of this year’s New Zealand International Film Festival on July 28 at Te Papa’s Soundings Theatre, and will be followed by Festival lunchtime screenings on August 3 at City Gallery.

Set in the present the film follows a group of schoolchildren from the Taranaki pa on a bus trip they made in 2009 to follow the forced journey of their ancestors, political prisoners from Parihaka, in the 1880s. The film weaves the observations of the children - through artwork, poetry and song - and the footage of their journey with archival photography to bring the history to life. It tells the story of the ancestors who, with the leadership of Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi, used passive resistance to oppose the Government’s confiscation of their lands.

NZ International Film Festival director Bill Gosden says, “the passage of knowledge conveyed in and by Tatarakihi is both sombre and enriching. The film is narrated by the children and combines footage of their hikoi (some of it shot by the children themselves) with vivid archival photography.”

Producer/director Paora Joseph: “While it recounts days of darkness, Tatarakihi – The Children Of Parihaka is imbued with a sense of restoration and hope, enabling a continued dialogue for understanding and mutual respect of both Māori and Pākehā in the New Zealand we know today. This film will also provide reflection to other indigenous nations that memory of the ancient world is important within the modern context that we now find ourselves in.

“This film is dedicated to the memory of all who have carried the kaupapa of passive resistance taught by Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi.”

http://www.parihakafilm.com/index.html