Matariki

Iaheto Ah Hi's play Tautai involved an urban car thief emulating his Tokelauan fishing ancestors — only instead of hunting sharks, he hunted cars. Twelve years and 27 drafts after first seeing the play, director Michael Bennett and co-writer Gavin Strawhan intertwined Tautai's story with seven other characters, each impacted by one moment of violence. Praising the "excellent ensemble" and Don McGlashan score, Herald reviewer Peter Calder argued that Matariki delivers "a touching series of intersecting stories about the fragility of life and the redeeming power of love".

You know when you’re watching a film and the audience is getting every moment. I was just blown away.

– Michael Bennett in Onfilm magazine (Nov 2010), on audience reactions to Matariki at the Toronto Film Festival

Key Cast & Crew

Gavin Strawhan

Associate Producer, Writer

Michael Bennett

Writer, Director

Iaheto Ah Hi

As: Tyrone, Original Author

Fiona Copland

Producer

Joe Naufahu

As: Young Cop

Cherie James

As: Aunty Rachel's Daughter