Ka Haku Au - A Poet's Lament

Ka Haku Au — A Poet's Lament won Best Māori Language show in 2009. The one-hour documentary drama celebrates the life and songs of Kohine Whakarua Ponika. The largely unsung Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou composer — who couldn't read a note of music, created some of the most popular Māori waiata written, including 'Aku Mahi', 'Kua Rongorongo' and 'E Rona E'. Mostly in Te Reo, the show features Kohine's whānau in dramatic roles, performances and interviews. Kohine's children produced a CD of her waiata, available on iTunes, which in turn inspired the documentary.

She is acknowledged as one of the best composers in the land.

– Bill Kerekere

Key Cast & Crew

Ngahuia Wade

Director

Maramena Roderick

Producer

Mike Jonathan

Cinematographer

Kohine Whakarua Ponika

Composer