Ka Whawhai Tonu: Struggle Without End (M)

An action-packed epic about Aotearoa's first land war, when vastly outnumbered Māori fought against colonial soldiers.

Celebrated Māori director Mike Jonathan’s Ka Whawhai Tonu boldly tells the story of a crucial battle in the first land wars fought in New Zealand’s Waikato region. Amidst the chaos of the infamous 1864 siege of Ōrākau, two teenagers must seize command of their destinies and fight for freedom. Facing insuperable odds, the Māori tribes defiantly stand their ground in a struggle for sovereignty against the relentless advance of colonial forces. Presented in te reo Māori, this ambitious historical drama tells the story of a critical moment in New Zealand history from a Māori perspective.

Cast: Cliff Curtis, Temuera Morrison, Jason Flemyng, Miruama Smith

Director: Mike Jonathan

★★★★ "With a strong script in te reo, exquisite landscape and battle scene photography by Grant McKinnon and music by Arli Liberman and Tiki Taani, an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film beckons." NZ HERALD

★★★★ "A welcome depiction of some indelible New Zealand history...tender when it needs to be, raucously funny at times and pounds across the screen like a classic war movie in between" STUFF.CO.NZ