Tūngia Baker

Tūngia Baker was a dedicated advocate for Māori involvement in the arts. She played a role in Rowley Habib’s theatre production, Death of The Land, and a 1978 television adaption of the play. Her other screen roles include TV series Open House, and Jane Campion film The Piano. Baker was a founding member of the Māori film collective, Te Manu Aute, and Māori women’s arts collective, Haeata. She passed away on 27 July 2005.

Tūngia played an important role in the evolution of te reo in Māori radio, television and film. As a scholar and te reo speaker her contribution during this time was invaluable. Anne Keating, co-founder of Māori filmmaking collective Te Manu Aute