Kairākau - First Episode

Te Ao Māori meets 70s kung fu movies in this Māori TV series, as a modern guide travels back to pre-Pākehā times to introduce "the greatest warriors of the past". Kairākau uses modern filmmaking tools (including roving camerawork, and the kinetic style of action films like 300) to explore ancestral history and showcase Māori martial arts. This first episode tells of Tunohopu’s utu, after an ambush by a Tūwharetoa war party sees the capture of his son and brother. Kairākau was created by Rangi Rangitukunoa. Kapa haka expert Wetini Mitai-Ngātai choreographs the martial arts.

Ruia taitea, ruia taitea, kia tū ko taikākā, ko ahau anake! [shake off the sapwood and the strong heartwood remains!]

– Te Roro-o-te-rangi's famous war cry

Key Cast & Crew

Tupoutahi Winitana

Presenter

Wetini Mitai-Ngātai

Associate Producer, Fight Choreographer

Rangi Rangitukunoa

Series Creator, Director, Editor, Associate Producer

Lara Northcroft

Producer

Tearepa Kahi

Writer, Editor, Executive Producer

Anaha Hiini

As: Te Roro-o-Te Rangi