The Green Chain

This homegrown Erin Brockovich story follows former Whakatāne sawmill worker Joe Harawira and his long battle to reveal the impact that workplace toxins have had on his community. In the 80s after being afflicted by health issues, Harawira noticed co-workers getting sick. In 1988 he helped found SWAP (Sawmill Workers Against Poisons) and began investigating the effects of exposure to dioxins, a by-product of timber treatment. The Joe versus the mills crusade screened on Māori Television, and won Best Popular Documentary at the 2012 NZ Television Awards.

Men brought back their overalls that were wet with PCP and dioxins and the wives washed them.

– From the narration

Key Cast & Crew

Kathleen Mantel

Director, Writer

Meg Douglas

Producer

Annie Murray

Network Executive

Jacob Bryant

Camera

Nicola Castle

Editor

Carol Hirschfeld

Network Executive