Play

00:00

Captions

Volume

Tama Tū

Short Film (Full Length) – 2004

Parental Guidance

Add to watch list

David Taylor

25 Apr 2023 - 09.04pm

We watched this on ANZAC Day and loved it. Such a simple concept, but portrayed with depth and a healthy dose of humour. Tama tū indeed!

Leticia

30 Mar 2023 - 10.29am

love it.

Josh

26 Oct 2021 - 10.40am

great show!!

Donald

17 May 2021 - 02.56pm

taika gc

Russell Goodall

29 Dec 2020 - 04.56pm

Just brilliant. And all done with virtually no dialogue. Very funny even for a Pakeha Kiwi who hasn’t lived in NZ for decades. Kudos to Taika and his team.

25 Apr 2020 - 11.51am

I love this short movie. Especially watching it on an Anzac day. Absolutely beautiful.
Taika Waititi needs to make a full movie on the 28th Maori Battalion.

Lest we forget.

21 Apr 2015 - 05.03pm

Facial talk

Sione inukihaangana

13 Apr 2015 - 04.15pm

Awesome short film! It was hilarious and powerful. Loved the ending!

17 Mar 2015 - 09.49am

Hei hoa, moku, i te po
o taku whare okioki...

Ronnie

13 Mar 2015 - 10.59pm

beautifully made short film, and funny hahaha

11 Mar 2015 - 07.22pm

This is beautiful.

11 Mar 2015 - 12.26pm

Lots of emotions i te waa poto...awesome Taika, Ainsley, and Cliff xxx Kia ora

26 Nov 2014 - 12.13pm

Could be a good full length movie if extended. Tino Pai

greg Warrington

13 Jun 2014 - 06.37am

Just read their war diary of it at victoria uni, they were damn good at what they did. no wonder the Germans and Italians respected them as front line soldiers.

Kymmy Stephens

2 Jun 2014 - 07.59pm

Best NZ Short Film - When our whanau watched Tama Tu for the first time we laughed and laughed, cracked up at all the familiar pranks and gestures, we felt connected to it on another level so its become a whanau tradition watching it at our reunions. Whanau never get sick of it. #Sgt.J.T.Ruru. C.Company Maori Battalion# Tama Tu # Tama Ora #Tama Toa

18 May 2014 - 09.09pm

Wow, what an awesome film!

Proud to be Maori and even more proud of those Maori who served.

I was wondering and have been for some years now if anyone will ever make a film about Maori during the War periods in the Pre-European era, say the 1500's? A film where it concludes with one Hapu fights another Hapu in a huge battle using just Taiaha, Patu and other ancient weaponry. It can be a Romeo & Juliet type story as well which also highlights the life of Maori on the Pa, day to day life, customs, beliefs and traditions like Ta Moko, marriage, training, medicines/healers and positions in the tribe, food, attitudes of the day, social issues, ideology and story telling, welcoming people (positive and negative) all the good stuff we want the world to see. It would be awesome to see it, like a mix of Rapanui, Apocalypto and Braveheart combined (so to speak). I think our stories and warriors are far superior to others... Just wish a film like that would come out to show it.

Love NZ films!

TE ATAWHAI

5 May 2014 - 12.04pm

TOIHAU KAUA E KOTITI TE HAERE I RUNGA I NGA ROROHIKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 May 2014 - 11.55am

awesome film :) love it

5 May 2014 - 11.52am

Mean as bro crackup faces best flim ever

keith

25 Apr 2014 - 08.27pm

WOW!!!! Brilliantly put together, awesome actors who had little to no dialogue to work with, just their bodies and facial expressions, awesome. It was amazing that after cracking up during the mischief things they were doing, a magpie (or whatever bird that was) flies in and it's back to being serious, which was quite a poignant part of the story really. I thought it was awesome glad to be watching it on ANZAC day. Lest we Forget.

Toarawherowhero

25 Apr 2014 - 03.10pm

Turn this into a full length feature! Fear, Suspense, Joy and Sadness all in one. Awesome.

2 Mar 2014 - 10.49am

I have never seen this before. What an incredible piece. Dialogue by facial and body movements, yet riveting. I laughed hard at moments and then wondered if I should have when I considered the setting.
To those who made this, were involved in any way, Thank you.

Sonny

24 Feb 2014 - 02.19pm

Wow that was amazing & funny at the same time

Darryl

29 Jan 2014 - 11.57pm

Awesome!!!

Piki

14 Jan 2014 - 03.35pm

UK use Mr Bean to engage students in learning about the war. We should definitely be using this in the school curriculum.

6 Jan 2014 - 11.47am

mean short film. I like it. put it on tv.

Tony

19 Dec 2013 - 06.50pm

I'm an Australian teacher. I'll show this to the kids on Anzac Day.

Pele Takurua

2 Nov 2013 - 11.58pm

Ko runga tena e tama ma! U got da gift alright Taika

Tiaho

1 Nov 2013 - 12.05pm

Awesome story. Thank you filmmakers!

Nori Parata

28 Oct 2013 - 07.07am

Nga mihi ki a koutou I hangaia te kiriata nei. Ka tangi te ngakau. E kore e wareware matau ki a ratau.

Wihiria Mark

25 Oct 2013 - 11.11pm

Why on earth are these films not shown on television or on mainstream television. If it hadn't been mentioned by a tutor of mine, I would never have known about this short film. It deserves recognition, why can't NZFC promote our own movies. It's a really good short film that I'm sure more New Zealanders would watch if they knew it existed.

Tim Simpson

10 Oct 2013 - 07.07pm

Awesome!! My Grandfather was in the 28th Maori Battalion and was killed in the battle of Monte Cassino, Italy in February 1944... Also being an ex soldier myself, I can relate to the hilarity of the very smallest acts or items, which bonds men together during hardship. Thank you and well done.

28 Sep 2013 - 07.47pm

Absolutely brilliant!

Kimiora

21 Sep 2013 - 02.20am

Lest we forget

rob

20 Sep 2013 - 10.37pm

thousands of miles away from our island we call home.

Matekino Olsen

20 Sep 2013 - 07.02pm

That was amazing, wish they would make full length movies showing how awesome our tupuna were

Laurance

17 Sep 2013 - 04.55pm

Wow he does it again. Kia Ora

Glenn Reddiex

10 May 2013 - 09.44pm

Whoa...strong tug on the heart string. This short film is simply superb. A mighty fine group of actors and Taika continues to impress.
Never was it more true than seen in this film 'actions speak louder than words'. A subtle raise of the eyebrows from me.

Ani Capper

27 Apr 2013 - 05.23am

Ae tautoko ki nga korero i puta mai, very touching, sad & beautiful. Im certain this is exactly how our tupuna araa nga morehu hoia would have behaved and felt during that time in that place. Nga mihi aroha, Taika, Ainsley me Cliff.

David

21 Feb 2013 - 10.16pm

WOW! This film sent shivers up my spine!

Bruce Wilkinson

7 Feb 2013 - 05.38pm

Appreciate all said before me - masterful and evocative. I hate the thought of where did they go from there? Did they survive? Sad to think of all who perished fighting war - on both sides.

Dionne Norman

6 Feb 2013 - 11.51am

This is a magnificent film. I have just sent the link to my whanau so they can also share. Poignantly beautiful in so many ways. There was a hidden strength in this film being filmed in 'silence'. Thank you for making this film.

Maureen Baines

13 Sep 2012 - 03.03pm

This is a beautiful film - outstanding. Courage, humour and compassion in every moment.

26 Apr 2012 - 05.29pm

My partner loves this visual. This short film shows that despite travelling to an unknown territory for war they would always remember where they came from. Favourite scene - throws stone at lookout, lookout responds with a silent 'what'.

Waim

25 Apr 2012 - 02.52pm

So typical of Maori boys......find humor in any situation, and I imagine that it would've been like that....this is a great short film

George Hiku

25 Apr 2012 - 10.45am

HAHA this really cracks ne out of ma boots

Zaelene Maxwell-Butler

23 Apr 2012 - 05.47pm

I found out about this on Facebook and just had to watch. Very funny, very moving.....what happens next? I very much enjoy your work.

......tuturu whakamaua kia tina!!!!!

Paretoroa

20 Apr 2012 - 10.58pm

It was so touching. Found it so easy to relate to the boys, easily able to see my brothers, sons, uncles and cousins mucking around doing dorky things and acting like eggs. And then to be brought back by the tohu, and the karakia scene was so poignant and taumaha. Truly masterful and evocative

Ren

11 Apr 2012 - 09.03am

I really enjoyed the film :)

otakimaori

24 Mar 2012 - 01.33am

nice

Tommy H

13 Mar 2012 - 06.39pm

He mere pounamu tenei pikitia. he whakaahua o matou tupuna kua wehi atu ra...e kitea mai nga kanohi, e hoki ki te whakaaro.....nga tamatoa o tumatauenga...tu mai te toki...aue taukuri eeeee.
28 maori battalion. Company A B C D. e kore matou e warewaretia.
a thought provoking short picture...hummmmm.............ka mau te wehi .Taika,Cliff,Ainsley and star actors..workers katoa....too much.

Able

31 Jan 2012 - 11.49pm

There were 17 kiwi Infantry Battalions in WWII. Enjoyed the film, but would like to see a bit more light shone on some others for a change.
18th BN - 28th BN. And 29th, 30th, 34th, 35th, 36th and 37th.
There are some amazing stories out there that don't just revolve around one fine group of men in the 28th

Leanne

29 Jan 2012 - 11.50am

Choice Bro!!

Frank

29 Jan 2012 - 10.53am

Really good short film with depth and feeling. But in recent years we have been bombarded with 28 Btn Material. I would like to see some of the many other Infantry battalions we sent over highlighted 18th, 19th, or 20th Btn (who had numerous VC winners). Lets not forget the other 190,000 odd NZ'ers who went overseas for their country.

Josh Hema

27 Dec 2011 - 06.15am

He tino rawe tenei pikitia. Kua mau te pikitia nei i te hatekehitanga o tatou te iwi Maori. tuarua, te kaha o ratou nga hoia, nga tipuna hoki.
no reira, nga mihi Taika ma!

JARROD

24 Dec 2011 - 04.17pm

mean maoris mean only sumfing kiwis kan relate too mean taika bro wenz da next one cumming out kuzz ull have to put me in it az well koz im a funny lookin maori cher cher JARUE

Vin

14 Nov 2011 - 04.03pm

Funny as, My Maori workmate and i watched this at work (security officers in aussie) and we were cracking up but still having to be quiet like the maori soldiers, made it even funnier....now we just have to give the big paused eyebrow lift lol and its on all over again...cheers Taika!

12 Oct 2011 - 07.57am

F***ing brilliant film. I am always looking for maori films. Unfortunately I am from england so it is hard for me to find.

Any suggestions??

10 Aug 2011 - 02.57pm

haruru ana te whenua ki hea koe tu ai Mr Waititi.. to rangatira hoki..

Tangihia

18 Jul 2011 - 08.50pm

Tautoko, absolutely, mean

Bennyboy

18 Jul 2011 - 03.36pm

There should be a movie of New Zealand's role in the 2nd world war. Aussie keeps grabbing the spotlight. Peter Jackson & Taika should direct it.

BJ :)

9 Jun 2011 - 02.31pm

pretty mean bro

Nigel King

4 May 2011 - 01.14am

Nga mihi nui atu ki a koutou:D He pai rawa te whakaari, he mea hei whakahihi i te ngakau, he maori ahau!

Tekaru

2 May 2011 - 09.48pm

too much, this is an epic short movie... need to be able to download it somehere?

Tekaru - see the message from Julie Hill just above.

Ba Jay

12 Apr 2011 - 01.09pm

Mean bro

15 Mar 2011 - 11.05am

@DAina Look for 'Buy It' at the bottom right of this page. Click there and you'll find info about where to buy this film.

DAina

10 Mar 2011 - 08.28pm

I saw this very late at night on SBS Australia and I've been raving about it to everyone since - please tell me where I can buy it!!

riki

5 Feb 2011 - 05.03am

taika waititi, visionary extraordinaire.

Aaron

28 Jan 2011 - 09.46pm

I watched this a few years ago on tv, and has haunted me since. Magnificent.

Stefan

23 Jan 2011 - 03.40pm

Sure reminds you of what is important, eh.

16 Dec 2010 - 11.10pm

After having recently finished reading Patricia Grace's Tu and now viewing this, I'm moved to tears over the juxtaposed poignancy of the Maori Battalion experience. An excellent piece of work that encapsulates precisely what I can only imagine to be the triumph of the human spirit in times of confusion and crisis.

T Savage

11 Nov 2010 - 03.08pm

and 3 generations later me and my mates still do the same stuff to each other bloody beautiful

Gavin

10 Nov 2010 - 10.32am

Jesus, what a great film .. I served with the British Army during the Iraq war and in other combat areas and the humour and brotherhood was spot on. Kia Ora

hine

27 Oct 2010 - 03.04pm

great movie tama tu love it ..x

20 Sep 2010 - 07.49am

Cool it's good to see or imagine what our battalion went thru.
Boy was cool but this is awesome. Has anyone seen the short film Taua? Awesome n wouldn't mind seeing a longer version if possible.

14 Sep 2010 - 10.24pm

Beautiful short film. It would be fabulous if someone made a film of Patricia Grace's masterful novel Tu. Taika would do the book justice.

Venus Yerkovich

7 Sep 2010 - 07.35pm

Such a pity "Boy" gets all the glory - Tama Tu is far superior in my view. Thanks NZONSCREEN.

Sharon

7 Sep 2010 - 12.08am

Ti Hei Mauri ora!

Venus Yerkovich

29 May 2010 - 12.47am

watched it again. great stuff.

Theresaaaaaaaa

5 May 2010 - 10.28pm

That was so interesting! Taika Waititi is such a genius, I adore his work. <3

parsh connelly hill

26 Apr 2010 - 01.52pm

wow how amazing...it reminds me when my grandfather was in the maori battalian ..so loved it...lest we 4get..n honour them 4 their great courage n bravery...

Michael

24 Apr 2010 - 10.00pm

Aue Ihu Tirohia Arohaina Iho Ra Whakaaetia Ake Au Ki Tou Uma Piri Ai...Hiki Nuku, Hiki Rangi E Hika Ma O Te Pakanga Tuarua O Te Ao. Tē Wareware. Moe Mai Ra.

27 Mar 2010 - 08.45pm

awesome Taika Waititi - it represents the maori bonds. tei hei mauri ora!

Krystal-lee Brown

8 Mar 2010 - 07.14pm

Absolutely amazing, the whole thing, I love that the longest dialogue you hear is the karakia. just goes to show the intensity of karakia and us as maori how so few words could possibly guide us with courage and strength to overcome anything, the humour - crack up : typical maori boys, such a serious situation but the humour just makes you forget about what's going on outside. my favourite shot, the very last shot we see before it ends - the carving next to the toy soldier, the way the carving was positioned behind the soldier as the soldier is facing in the other direction, to me, looks like the carving is a symbolism of a kaitiaki or their matua tupuna watching over them, supporting them, standing behind them. chuuurrr Taika Waititi ! MEAN SHORT!! using this short for a assignment at uni. =p

Ian

1 Feb 2010 - 04.24pm

Great short! It's usually hard to keep the audience interested throughout when there is no talking, but the silence and body language really work here. Very effective. I loved the whole scene with aiming at the German soldier. And the song used in the credits is just beautiful.

Venus Yerkovich

21 Nov 2009 - 01.32am

can't believe there are no comments so far.