The Lion King - Reo Māori Version

Film (Trailer) – 2022

Almost three decades after Disney's The Lion King was first released in 1994, the animated classic hit the cinemas again for the first time in te reo Māori. Heir to his father's throne, young lion Simba embarks on a quest to find his rightful place as king of the Pride Lands. Featuring five different te reo Māori dialects from around Aotearoa, it was the second Disney film to be translated into te reo Māori, following Moana in 2017. Produced by filmmakers Chelsea Winstanley and Tweedie Waititi of Matewa Media, the film stars Piripi Taylor as Mufasa, Mataara Stokes as Simba, and Arihia Cassidy as Nala.

For the first time ever in a feature film we are showcasing five different dialects, of which there are many throughout the motu, and for many people across Aotearoa they will be hearing these kupu for the first time.
– Producer Chelsea Winstanley on the film's te reo Māori dialects, Radio New Zealand, 22 June 2022