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NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau

56m

The Wairau Affray in 1843 is considered the first of the NZ Wars conflicts, and the only one to take place in the South Island.

Made with the support of NZ On Air

Series details.

Credits

Mihingarangi Forbes
Creator & Presenter
Annabelle Lee-Mather
Executive Producer
Mahanga Pihama & Cameron Bennett
Directors
Mahanga Pihama
Producer
Riria Morgan
Line Producer
Cameron Bennett & Mihingarangi Forbes
Writers
Megan Whelan
RNZ Head of Content
Veronica Schmidt
RNZ Head of Content (Acting)
Tim Burnell & Jodhi Hoani
RNZ Commissioning
Shannon Haunui-Thompson
RNZ Tumu Māori

NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau is the fourth chapter in RNZ’s award-winning documentary series on the New Zealand Wars. The Wairau Affray in 1843 is considered the first of the the NZ Wars conflicts, and the only one to take place in the South Island.

NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau documents the clash between renowned Ngāti Toa fighting chiefs, Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata, and the notorious New Zealand Company, which resulted in the loss of life and land.

The video documentary examines the events that led to this conflict and its consequences, which continue to reverberate nearly two centuries on. Using dramatic re-enactments, interviews, historical records, haka, and digital storytelling, NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau brings to life the first-hand narratives of tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, which have been passed down through the generations.

Presented by Mihingarangi Forbes and featuring Dr Vincent O’Malley, alongside esteemed iwi historians Sir Matiu Rei, Kahu Ropata, Miria Pomare, and Lloyd Carpenter, NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau explores the events that shaped our country and their ongoing influence in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand.

Awards

2023 NZTV Awards

Best Māori Programme

In partnership with

Great Southern Television

In partnership with

Partner Logo for Aotearoa Media Collective for use on dark background

Made with the support of

Partner Logo for NZ on Air for use on dark background

Get in touch

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