My Kāinga My Castle

Rotorua may be famous for its picture perfect scenery, but dig a little deeper under the boiling mud and you'll find a history bubbling with warfare, adventure and romance. This TV One documentary, presented by Te Arawa's own Sir Howard Morrison, traces the iwi's origins —from a fight over a beloved dog in Hawaiki, to the shores of Maketū in the Bay of Plenty. Morrison travels around the Rotorua region visiting important historical sites like Mokoia Island and his home marae at Ōhinemutu, on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Paul Gittins (Epitaph) directed the one-off special.

Like Ōhinemutu, Whakarewarewa is another fortress that takes good advantage of its location. There's nothing like keeping those power bills down with natural central heating and a natural pressure cooker.

– Sir Howard Morrison on thermal activity in Rotorua

Key Cast & Crew

Paul Gittins

Director, Writer, Research

Howard Morrison

Presenter

John Harris

Producer

Dave Hurley

Sound Recordist

Catherine White

Post-Production Coordinator

Garth Merrylees

Assistant Camera