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The Life and Times of Te Tutu - Series One
Television (Full Length Episodes) – 2000
Set in the mid 1800s, this take no prisoners comedy follows Māori chief Te Tutu (Pio Terei), and his interactions with three settlers from England: the arrogant Henry Vole, his long-suffering wife, and an upper class twit named Herrick. As indicated by this episode guide, the seven episodes of season one take potshots at everything from religion to land grabs, to the Treaty of Waitangi. En route, there are singing priests (episode four), chopped flagpoles (episode six) and cameos by Ian Mune (episode six) and musician Dalvanius Prime (episode one). The talent-packed cast also includes early appearances by Jason Hoyte, Rachel House and Jonny Brugh. The show was created by TV veteran Ray Lillis.
We just took the piss out of the way the colonials were — you know, the way they worked their women. Terrible — you wouldn't marry a Pākehā!– Pio Terei, in his ScreenTalk interview for NZ On Screen
Key Cast & Crew
See all 42 credits
Produced by
Pipi Productions
Music
Theme music composed by Aram Khachaturian, from the ballet Spartacus (also used as the theme music for TV series The Onedin Line)
Closing credits song 'Haere Mai (Everything is Ka Pai') composed by Dennis March, and performed by Pio Terei, Hinewehi Mohi and Aroha Shortland
More Information
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Press release on the show getting funded for a second season, Scoop, January 2001
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Section on the history of Māori-Pākehā relations, Te Ara website
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Article on the New Zealand Company and British immigration to NZ in the 1800s, Te Ara
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Section on the Anglican church in New Zealand (episode four), Te Ara
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Section on the history of gold mining in New Zealand (episode three), Te Ara
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