Rangatira: Merata Mita - Making Waves

This edition of the Rangatira (‘chief’) series on Māori leaders looks at the uncompromising approach of pioneering filmmaker Merata Mita. Breaking into directing and producing was a rare enough feat for Māori, let alone a Māori woman. Making Waves takes us back to the start of Mita’s career with television programme Koha, tracking key highlights through interviews with friends, family and some of the people she mentored. They speak of her tenacity, grit and sheer determination to bring Māori political and social issues to the screen. In the second clip, church leader Hone Kaa offers his views on Mita's importance. 

...it was really the first time that Māori programmes had been made on any television station in New Zealand where Māori people were broadcasting to ourselves as a community, directly ... Merata was I think about the second or third person I ever spoke to about the programme.

– Producer Ray Waru on TV programme Koha

Key Cast & Crew

Hinewehi Mohi

Director, Composer

Derek Fox

Producer, Interviewer

Jonathan Dennis

Subject

Richard Rautjoki

Editor, Producer

Merata Mita

Project Advisor, Subject

Ray Waru

Subject