Taku Rākau E

In this poetic short film, writer/director/songwriter Kararaina Rangihau tells a story of great significance to the Tūhoe people. Unfolding entirely in te reo Māori, the narrative follows a child (played by Te Ratauhina Tumarae) learning the origins to the waiata 'Taku Rākau E', from her great-grandmother (Menu Ripia). Flicking between the present day and 1873, the great-grandmother tells how Mihikitekapua, a blind women of Tūhoe (also played by Ripia), first sang this important waiata. Rangihau was mentored by prominent filmmaker Merata Mita, who produced the film with co-producer Chelsea Winstanley. 

She knows the path so well. It is her home.

– Nan (Menu Ripia) explainign to her great grand daughter Erana (Te Ratauhina Tumarae) how the blind woman Mihikitekapua found her way

Key Cast & Crew

Te Ratauhina Tumarae

As: Erana

Menu Ripia

As: Mihikitekapua & Nan

Grant McKinnon

Cinematographer

Chelsea Winstanley

Co-Producer

Merata Mita

Producer

Kararaina Rangihau

Director, Writer