Tala Pasifika - Matou Uma

Tala Pasifika was a pioneering Pasifika drama series. This episode follows members of a young women’s netball team in the lead-up to the final game. The pressure is on for teammates Aroha (a rare screen appearance by Once Were Warriors discovery Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell), Moana (Ardijah singer Betty-Anne Monga) and Lagi (Tausili Mose). With a chance of selection for the development squad, everyone is hoping for a win. Director Justine Simei-Barton was nominated for Best Drama Director at the 2001 NZ Television Awards; she later developed it into 2003 drama series Good Hands - Lima Lelei.

A candid look at the issues faced by young women struggling to express their sexuality under the sometimes steely eyes of church and family. There's little that's preachy about Matou Uma though, mostly because it's delivered (for the most part) via a writer and actors (Betty-Anne Monga, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Tausili Mose) whose ears are tuned to the way people really talk.

– NZ Herald writer Michele Hewitson, December 1999

Key Cast & Crew

Tausili Mose

As: Lagi

Ryan Monga

Composer, Musical Director

Betty-Anne Monga

As: Moana

Mamaengaroa Pere (née Kerr-Bell)

As: Aroha

Justine Simei-Barton

Director

Shimpal Lelisi

As: Philipo