Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab I

The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab is a feature film development lab designed to support the production of powerful stories by Māori filmmakers.

With the Māoriland Puritia framework as its foundation, the Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab aims to build capacity within the Māori screen sector by connecting filmmakers to a global Indigenous network — creating feature films that are locally grounded and globally resonant.

Supported by the NZ Film Commission Māoriland launched the MICL in September 2024.

Five writers were selected through a competitive shortlisting and interview process led by the Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab Kāhui: Adam Piron, Lindsay Monture, Emile Peronard, Tainui Stephens, and Libby Hakaraia.

Guided by the tuakana–teina model of intergenerational knowledge sharing, the three month full time writers room proved to be an energetic and collaborative space.

The residency was facilitated by tuakana Kath Akuhata-Brown, and Kāhui member Libby Hakaraia who both worked on their feature film scripts alongside acclaimed hip hop artist Bronson Price who joined the MICL as a teina. A total of eight scripts were developed.

Producers were then attached to each project.

NGĀ KIRIATA

Mahuika

The love between mothers and daughters in one family is tested when a 14 year-old girl is sexually violated, forcing them to come together to heal or lose each other in the flames of rage and blame.

Paula Whetu Jones

Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou
WRITER / DIRECTOR

Bio

Paula Whetu Jones is best known for her social issue documentaries, to which she brings a unique perspective. Films such as Gang Girls, Street Kids, Lost Boys, Mama Tere, Truancy, and Silent Soldiers showcase her ability to create space where people feel comfortable speaking candidly. Many of her films highlight the everyday lives of marginalised and diverse communities.

Paula co-wrote and co-directed the acclaimed Whina (2021) and was one of eight Indigenous women behind Waru, a series of 10-minute vignettes based on a single theme.

Her recent self-funded documentary The Doctor’s Wife follows the voluntary medical work of retired paediatric heart surgeon Dr Alan Kerr and his wife Hazel in the West Bank and Gaza. It premiered at the Māoriland Film Festival and is touring through a community-led distribution model.

In contrast is her comedy Spinal Destination, inspired by her personal experience at Burwood Spinal Unit after becoming paralysed in 2010. She also co-directed Testify, a drama set in an evangelical church, for Warner Bros. NZ.

Paula currently has two projects in development: the feature Koha and Moko Mere, an eight-part historical drama co-written with an Irish writer.

Sandra Kailahi

Tonga, New Zealand
PRODUCER

Bio

Sandra Kailahi is an award-winning journalist, producer, and writer dedicated to amplifying Indigenous and Pacific voices through bold, authentic storytelling. Of Tongan heritage, she brings cultural and lived experience to all her work.

She co-produced the feature film Uproar, which premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, and co-produced For My Father’s Kingdom, a deeply personal documentary selected for the Berlinale NATIVe programme in 2019 and winner of Best Documentary at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

Sandra has also produced three short films — The Messiah, Meet Munch Jr, and Testimony — that explore identity, heritage, and resilience.

She is the co-creator, co-writer, and producer of Brutal Lives – Mo’ui Faingata’a, the first-ever Tongan bilingual drama web series. The series breaks new ground in Indigenous representation and won Best Pasifika Programme at the 2023 NZTV Awards.

Don Te Haute

Lost in a haze of talking lizards, goddesses, alcohol and depression, Don teeters on the edge of oblivion. But when the daughter he long ago abandoned knocks on his front door, he must make a choice: Take on the world or watch her walk in his footsteps.

Kirk Torrance

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa
WRITER / DIRECTOR / ACTOR

Bio

Kirk Torrance is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School and a highly respected creative talent with a career spanning over two decades across theatre, television, and film. He is widely known for his acting roles in productions such as Outrageous Fortune, Stickmen, and The Dead Lands, bringing a deep understanding of performance and storytelling to his work.

Alongside his screen career, Kirk is a seasoned theatre writer and director whose work has earned critical acclaim for its emotional depth, precision, and bold storytelling. His play Strata won Best New Play at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, reflecting his skill in crafting authentic, character-driven stories. His directing is marked by an actor’s intuition for performance, a writer’s attention to structure, and a clear, steady creative vision.

Now moving further into directing for screen, Kirk draws on years of practical experience leading and collaborating with creative teams. His work is grounded, character-focused, and built on a genuine understanding of narrative, performance, and craft.

Angela Cudd

Ngāti Porou, Te-Whānau-Ā-Apanui, Ngātiwai, Pākehā
PRODUCER

Bio

Angela Cudd is the founder of Caravan Carpark Films, a multi award-winning New Zealand screen company committed to culturally grounded, globally resonant storytelling.

Angela’s producing career spans scripted series (Good Grief, Sextortion), factual content (When Bob Came), children’s programming (Pōtae Pai), and feature films. She co-produced the Indigenous anthology feature We Are Still Here, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2022 and won the Dramatic Feature Award at ImagineNative. In 2023, she produced Uproar, starring Julian Dennison, Minnie Driver, and Rhys Darby, which had its world premiere at TIFF 2023 and recently won the Church of Sweden award.

Her documentary series When Bob Came, chronicling Bob Marley’s only concert in Aotearoa, won Best Factual Series at the 2023 New Zealand Television Awards, while Brutal Lives Season 2, where she served as Executive Producer, won Best Pasifika Series.
In 2024, Angela was named SPADA Independent Producer of the Year and was nominated for WIFT’s Woman to Watch award, recognising her string of critically acclaimed projects across both scripted and factual genres, in short and long-form content.

Angela continues to build a growing slate that reflects her commitment to powerful, globally relevant storytelling from Aotearoa.

Alongside his screen career, Kirk is a seasoned theatre writer and director whose work has earned critical acclaim for its emotional depth, precision, and bold storytelling. His play Strata won Best New Play at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, reflecting his skill in crafting authentic, character-driven stories. His directing is marked by an actor’s intuition for performance, a writer’s attention to structure, and a clear, steady creative vision.

Now moving further into directing for screen, Kirk draws on years of practical experience leading and collaborating with creative teams. His work is grounded, character-focused, and built on a genuine understanding of narrative, performance, and craft.

The Jade Stars

Career ambitions clash with bittersweet romance in 1960’s Auckland, as an aspiring rock ‘n’ roll singer and a savvy young Māori woman attempt to find their place in a time of momentous social and cultural change.

Rafer Rautjoki

Ngāti Pīkaio
WRITER / DIRECTOR

Bio

Ko Rafer Rautjoki taku ingoa.

I am of Finnish and Maori descent. Inspired by my mother, pioneering film maker Merata Mita I have come into film making relatively late in life, happy to have finally seen the light!

As an indigenous artist I want to expand the traditional Maori story telling landscape by making positive, entertaining and emotionally engaging films that highlight the full breadth of the Maori world.

By exploring universal themes through an indigenous lens my goal is to bring fresh perspectives while showcasing our culture to the world.

Heperi Mita

Ngāti Pīkaio
PRODUCER

Bio

Heperi Mita is a filmmaker and advocate for Māori and indigenous storytellers.

His documentary feature MERATA: How Mum Decolonised the Screen had its international premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019 and was acquired by Ava DuVernay’s film collective ARRAY and subsequently released worldwide on Netflix.

Heperi’s scripted short film FIRST HORSE, which he wrote and produced, won the inaugural First Nations Award at the 2024 Sydney Film Festival as well as awards at the 2024 NZ International Film Festival New Zealand’s Best Shorts film programme and the Santa Fe International Film Festival.

As part of Heperi’s advocacy work he was a keynote speaker at the 2019 Power of Inclusion Conference organised by the NZ film Commission and Disney, alongside Prime Minsiter Jacinda Ardern. Heperi delivered the keynote speech at the 2019 Māoriland film festival and spoke at the Screen Producers Australia 2019 SCREEN FOREVER conference, amongst many other public speaking engagements.

He is currently a funding advisor for NZ on Air, an independent government funding agency delivering quality and diverse New Zealand public media.

Hemo is Home

Raised by ghosts. Haunted by questions. When a sinister spirit rises, nine-year-old Hemo must unlock his ancestral power and defend the only home he’s ever known—the family cemetery.

Tainui Tukiwaho

Tūhoe
WRITER

Bio

Tainui Tukiwaho once made a plan. A brilliant, world-conquering, theatre-dominating plan. At 25, he gave himself ten years to take over the theatre scene in Aotearoa. It was a bold move. Unfortunately, at 30, a wiser, more cynical Tainui looked back at 25-year-old Tainui and muttered, “You foolish, optimistic child.”

Still, plans are plans — so he built a kaupapa Māori theatre anyway. That theatre became a space for Māori voices to flourish, and it kept the dream alive.

By 35, Tainui had wandered into the world of television. He created Tongue Tied (which he hopes you never have to watch) and joined the writing team for the much more respectable and acclaimed Ahikāroa. Then came film. Realising the theatre empire didn’t need conquering twice, he co-created Chatterbox, a short film about singing vaginas. It won audience awards — once in Rotorua (thanks, whānau) and again in Auckland (likely alcohol-related).

Now in his forties, Tainui is a storyteller, teacher, reo Māori advocate, and father of seven. He believes in Indigenous stories told by Indigenous voices — with heart, humour, and absolutely no apologies.

The plan didn’t end at 35. He’s still coming for the rest of the empire.

Lanita Ririnui

Tumutevarovaro, Tauranga Moana, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai
PRODUCER

Bio

Lanita Ririnui is the founder of Table 1 Creative Company & executive producer of Aho Shorts ‘Chatterbox’, ‘Honey Kaha’, ‘Tuia Ngā Here’, ‘Wait Wait Now’ & ‘Rapido’. Lanita has been a passionate advocate for Māori & Pacific narratives and indigenous storytelling, drawing inspiration from her rich heritage, including her iwi links to Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Tauranga Moana, and Tumutevarovaro.

Throughout her career, Lanita has held significant roles, including Commissioner at Whakaata Māori and Executive Director of Ngā Aho Whakaari – Māori in Screen Industries. She co-founded Through The Fire Ltd, where she led innovative award winning projects such as ‘Poi360’, ‘Poi Hopes & Dreams’ and ‘Fan Girl’, aimed at elevating Māori & Pacific stories and perspectives. Her influence extends to the global stage as an international judge, including the prestigious 2025 BANFF Rockie Awards, representing Aotearoa NZ.

Lanita believes in the transformative power of storytelling as a means of cultural preservation and social change. Her work embodies the mantra of Table 1: winning better, winning together, highlighting her commitment to collaboration and community in the screen industry. With over two decades of experience, Lanita continues to inspire the next generation of storytellers, encouraging them to embrace their unique voices and share their stories with the world.

Hidden

Two unlikely allies – a disgraced Māori cop and a grieving Samoan mother – must overcome their homophobia and outwit corrupt authorities to rescue their gay loved ones, who have been captured by human traffickers and bound for Europe.

Aroha Awarau

Māori, Nuiean, Sāmoan
WRITER / DIRECTOR

Bio

Aroha Awarau (Māori/Niuean/Samoan) is an award-winning screenwriter, playwright, and film director based in Auckland. His work explores themes of identity, belonging, and the lived experiences of Māori and Pasifika communities in Aotearoa.

Awarau’s career began with a degree in Film and Television from the University of Waikato in 1998, leading to early work on iconic New Zealand films such as What Becomes of the Broken Hearted and The Price of Milk. He later earned a journalism degree from Auckland University of Technology in 2004 and built a successful media career, contributing to TVNZ, Listener, Māori Television, Woman’s Weekly, Stuff, and National Geographic. Notably, he gained Oprah Winfrey’s only interview when she visited New Zealand in 2019 for Māori Television.

Despite his journalism accomplishments, Awarau’s passion for storytelling has always remained rooted in film. His short film Home (2015), which he wrote and produced, screened at several international festivals, and in 2020, he served as screenwriter and associate producer for Disrupt.

In 2024, he made his directorial debut with Puti, a poignant short film adapted from his award-winning screenplay, which won Best Short Film Script at the 2014 Pikihuia Māori Writers Awards. Puti has since received critical acclaim, screening at both national and international festivals. In addition to his screen work, Awarau is also a celebrated playwright with multiple award-winning productions, including Luncheon (2015), Officer 27 (2016), and Provocation (2019).

Jason Taylor

Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato, Ngāti Tama, Te Āti Awa
PRODUCER

Bio

Jason Taylor is an award-winning producer collaborating with some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most exceptional filmmaking voices. As the creator of The Barber Shop Sessions, a factual music series for RNZ, and HI VIS, distributed across RNZ’s digital platforms, Jason has built a reputation for producing impactful, culturally rich content. His diverse slate includes scripted series and feature projects for international audiences.

In 2024, he was honoured as the SPADA Emerging Producer of the Year, recognising the creativity, innovation, and dedication of up-and-coming producers. Most recently, Jason has been involved as a producer in the Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab, and he was selected as part of Script to Screens Strength in Numbers.

Jason has partnered with award-winning writer/director Aroha Awarau to produce his feature film, HIDDEN. He will be at imagineNative to progress the project, meet with potential co-production and market partners.

Jason has a diverse development slate including four animated projects and series as well as his live action scripted slate. In just five short years, his slate has grown into a bold and diverse collection of work — a testament to the creative ambition and cultural depth he and his collaborators bring to every story.

The founder and head of Tai Huri Films, Jason is an ambitious creative producer working across film and television in Aotearoa New Zealand and further afield.

NGĀ TUAKANA

TEINA

Kath Akuhata Brown

The Ugliest Woman in the World

A poignant exploration of self-worth, identity, and societal expectations wrapped in a comedic and dramatic narrative. The story follows Adi, a Māori widow who is thrust into a bizarre legal battle following the death of her wealthy husband, Joseph.

Libby Hakaraia

Disco Kuini

An energetic, vibrant coming-of-age story set in 1980s New Zealand, following two spirited Māori teenage girls, Miriama and Kararaina, navigating the complexities of race, culture, and identity through their love of disco.

Bronson Price

Pressure

A visually powerful drama exploring the societal and familial expectations placed on three Auckland teenagers.

Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab Overview

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POU TUATAHI: Māoriland Indigenous Script Accelerator

1 October – 20 December 2024

The Māoriland Indigenous Script Accelerator; MISA is a 12-week paid residency program for Māori screenwriters from Aotearoa.
Located at the Māoriland Hub in Ōtaki, the program will include workshops with experienced international Indigenous screenwriters and filmmakers.
All participants will receive wrap-around pastoral care and support while working in a kaupapa Māori environment.

Five participants will be selected for the program.

Each writer will complete a first draft by the end of the program that runs from 1 October – 20 December 2024

The Māoriland Indigenous Script Accelerator is for Māori screenwriters with original scripts that have no attachments (no producer or director). This accelerator program aims to support the development of original Māori stories for the screen.
POU TUARUA: Key Creative Teams
POU TUATORU: Project Packaging

In Pou Tuatoru, the creative teams will work to package their project for international markets, utilising the skills and information delivered in Pou Tuarua.

Mentors will continue working with each team throughout this period to support the preparation of pitch materials, including their budget and creative materials.

Both domestic and international assessors will be made available to each team to provide feedback on their projects.

Participants will also take part in pitch training with international mentors.

Co-Production opportunities will be actively explored.

If appropriate for the projects, a call for international producers and co-directors will be made at this time.
POU TUAWHĀ: Market Ready

In Pou Tuawhā, teams will receive market training and support as they travel to international markets and festivals to showcase the Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab.

The program will officially conclude at Matariki following a showcase in Toronto, Canada at imagineNATIVE Film Festival 2025.

Māoriland will work with its established network of Indigenous film festivals, film market and Industry partners to create further showcase opportunities for the Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab projects at International markets and film festivals.

NATIVE Slam III Filmmakers at Māoriland Film Festival: Amberley Jo Aumua, Richard Curtis, Courtney Montour, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs, Jesse Raine Littlebird, Shaandiin Tome, Trevor Solway, Lanita Ririnui, Razelle Benally, Asia Youngman, Isaac Te Reina & Ken Are Bongo

OTHER PROGRAMS

M.A.T.C.H – The Māoriland Tech Creative Hub

M.A.T.C.H Creative Intensifiers are 12-week workplace training programs for Māori to pathway into the film and creative industries.

A unique opportunity to learn in a kaupapa Māori environment, M.A.T.C.H identifies and supports Māori potential.

FIND OUT MORE

Puritia Incubator

The Puritia Incubator (2022-2023) A year-long, intensive production-based training programme for rangatahi Māori to enter the screen industry.

Over 10 Wānanga, Puritia Incubator Participants developed skills in camera, sound, editing, assistant direction, lighting, and production and gained experience on short film sets.

Ngā Pakiaka Incubator Program

The Ngā Pakiaka Incubator Program was developed in 2020 with support from Māoriland Charitable Trust, Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga (New Zealand Film Commission), the Sundance Institute Respond & Reimagine Plan, Department of Post and Indigenous filmmakers worldwide.

Following a competitive selection process, eight projects were “greenlit” Aree Kapa from Te Kao, Bailey Poching from Tāmaki Makaurau, Keeti Ngātai-Melbourne from Te Araroa, her elder sister Tioreore Ngātai-Melbourne, Te Mahara Tamehana from Kaitaia, Tiana Trego-Hall from Mitimiti, Te Waiarangi Ratana from Kirikiriroa and Oriwa Hakaraia from Ōtaki.
Over 18 months, the rangatahi filmmakers received one-on-one mentorship from industry experts and script and craft development workshops. Production was supported by professional crew.

Each film is ambitious and truthful, and all celebrate the types of stories that can be explored when rangatahi are given the freedom to create.

The completed films are screening globally, resonating with audiences and winning awards.

NATIVE Slam

The NATIVE Slam is an international Indigenous collaboration challenge initiated by Māoriland Film Festival in 2016.

Over 72 hours, four teams of 3 Indigenous filmmakers work together to produce a short film to screen at the MFF.

Since 2016, five NATIVE Slams have produced 21 short films and involved 60 Indigenous filmmakers. It has also led to creating strong and enduring filmmaker networks across the Indigenous world.