The Haka

Short film The Haka gives the heartwarming true story of 'The Christmas Truce' a Māori twist. After receiving a tin of biscuits all the way from Aotearoa, a group of  soldiers end up making unlikely friends with the enemy, after exchanging season's greetings across no-man's-land. Eventually, a ceasefire is called and the men socialise for the holiday, which shows both the similarities and differences between the two cultures. Released online on Anzac Day in 2021, the Wellington-made short screened at a festival of Australiasian films in the south of France, and was named Best Film at Kiwi festival Top of the South.

What do you think they're singing about?

– A soldier wonders what the German songs mean

Key Cast & Crew

Shannon Lee

Producer

Hamish Karawana-Innes

As: Wiremu

Isaac Lee

Director, Writer, Editor

April Phillips

Writer

Fredrick Pokai

As: Hemi

Matt Ruglys

As: Captain Earnest