Ruia Taitea: The World is Where We Are

This documentary looks at the life and work of acclaimed author Patricia Grace. Filmed at home, on marae and in classrooms, Grace discusses her writing process, her Hongoeka Bay upbringing, her children’s books, criticism of her work, and her Māori identity and belonging to the land (a theme of her then-recently successful novel Potiki). In particular she affirms the importance of writing from experience. The film features interviews with publishers and friends, and excerpts from Grace's stories are read and dramatised, including At the River, The Hills and Mutuwhenua.

The world is where you are. Where else can it be? What you do and what you listen to, and your experiences are the things of value to you as a writer.

– Patricia Grace on the importance of expressing your world, to a class of teenagers

Key Cast & Crew

Barbara Cairns

Director, Producer, Writer

Margaret Henley

Producer

Alun Bollinger

Cinematographer

Faifua Amiga

As: Manu

Dell King

Director - Drama Sequences

James Anderson (actor)

As: Boy