Tagata Tangata 6 - Ngāi Tātou / Family (Episode Six)

This final instalment of the 1993 series about Polynesia looks to the present, and the future. The episode documents the grave loss incurred by the introduction of Western peoples and their ideologies across Polynesia. Thankfully, the ocean pathways have allowed people to share skills and knowledge, as they set out to reclaim and revitalise their culture — like Māori kōhanga (pre-schools), later adopted in Hawai’i and by first generation Samoans in Aotearoa. Aquaculture in Hawai'i renews an ancient tradition for the future. A hope-filled final act looks at what may be to come for the family of Polynesian island nations.

At the time of the overstayers issue, more ex-British army people from Rhodesia and South Africa were allowed to settle here permanently in three months, than all Pacific peoples put together in the previous five years. This was in effect a white-only immigration policy and to us in [Ngā] Tamatoa it was totally objectionable. Because at the end of the day Māori and Pacific peoples, we are all one family; we are all Polynesians and we shouldn't forget it.

– Author and former Ngā Tamatoa member Donna Awatere Huata

Key Cast & Crew

Ramona Papali'i

Series Concept, Writer, Presenter, Narrator

Alison Carter

Writer, Second Unit Director

Peter Janes

Cinematographer

John Maynard

Producer

Poumau Tialetagi Papali'i

Producer

Hone Edwards

Director