Whetū Fala

Whetū Fala has championed Māori and Pasifika storytelling across theatre, film, television, and radio. She founded Fala Media in 2007 — which specialises in producing indigenous content — and has served on various boards including Whakaata Māori and Ngā Aho Whakaari. In 2024, she directed feature-length documentary Taki Rua Theatre: Breaking Barriers, on pioneering kaupapa Māori theatre company Taki Rua. 

Whetū Fala is a tireless advocate for both Māori and Pasifika filmmaking, and has been so for many many decades . . . An award to Whetū is a cause for celebration for both Māoridom and Pasifika communities, to in particular celebrate the unique place Whetū has had weaving her diverse communities together. Whetū Fala is awarded 2019's WIFT Mana Wahine Award, WIFTNZ website, 14 May 2019