To Live in the City

Made for television in the late 60s, this documentary pursues four young Māori  — Ripeka, Moana, Grace and Phillip  — as they transition from school, whānau and rural life to live in the city. The film follows them as they arrive in Wellington and attend a pre-employment course run by The Department of Māori Affairs, which offers accommodation and advice on employment options. Director Arthur Everard later became NZ's Chief Film Censor. A 1991 sequel To Live in the City 24 Years On, travelled across three countries to pick up on the lives of the four, now middle aged.

Many Māori boys and girls are coming in from country districts to the cities... and finding all manner of problems when they arrive. We decided if they could be brought in together, in a group, if they could be given help with accommodation for a year... then this would be not only better for themselves but better for the community.

– Noel Harrison, from the Ministry of Māori Affairs

Key Cast & Crew

Arthur Everard

Director, Writer, Editor

Geoffrey Scott

Producer

Ron Bowie

Producer

Graham Pomfret-Brown

Sound

Brian Shennan

Sound

Kit Rollings

Sound