To Love a Māori

Mr Hayward's film is so enjoyable to watch that it is easy to disregard the fact that only a few of the cast have had any experience in acting . . . The best thing about Mr Hayward's film is that it depicts with fidelity an important phase of life and experience in 'the largest Polynesian city in the world'. This film was yelling out to be made.

– Writer Geoffrey Webster in The Whakatane Beacon, 9 February 1972

A romantic documentary made on half a shoestring.

– Director Rudall Hayward

..a remarkably moving picture of race relationships in New Zealand . . . At virtually every turn overstatement works against the film . . . but the film is of crucial importance to New Zealanders.

– Writer Paul Smith in The NZ Herald, 20 January 1972

A Dramatic Documentary

– Opening graphics for this film

I hope he's not one of those long-haired types from the arts school; bunch of creeps.

– Penny's father (Desmond Locke) just before he meets Penny's new boyfriend

Some things did take a bit of getting used to — being asked to do a kissing scene with Ms Searell when he'd only known her three days was a bit of a shock.

– Actor Val Irwin on being thrown in the deep end with fellow To Love a Māori actor Marie Searell, Hawke's Bay Today, 1 November 2014

That's the trouble when a lot of these young Māoris come to town. They've got nowhere to go, and someone always exploits them.

– Mrs Hemi (Ramai Hayward), after Tina gets in trouble on the wharves

You won't take our son away from us and turn him into a European, will you?

– Tama's father (Toby Curtis) to Penny (Marie Searell)

This is the last of Rudall Hayward's seven feature films, his first colour feature, and the first colour feature made by a New Zealander in New Zealand. Hayward died after contracting pneumonia in 1974 during a gruelling promotional tour for the film.

– Sam Edwards, in 1997 book New Zealand Film 1912 - 1996, page 56

I'll let go of my apprenticeship. I'll find a job, any job, that'll give me a decent wage.

– Tama (Val Irwin) to his girlfriend Penny (Marie Searell)

Thier last project, To Love a Māori, was their biggest, and with elements of their own story embedded in the plot it had the potential to be a great film. . . . it followed the trials of a biracial couple establishing a relationship in a racially intolerant society, but sadly the Haywards had missed their moment and did not have the resources to produce a powerful, well-crafted film. Without external funding they had to rely on amateur actors, one trained cameraman, and friends for crew....

– Deborah Shepard, in her 2005 book Between the Lives - Partners in Art, page 133

[Ramai Hayward] found him a topic, through her work with Māori youth, for his final feature, To Love a Māori (1972). And then she eased the experience — because Rudall was suffering from a heart condition by this time and his directing skills had faded — and provided physical and emotional back-up, ensuring that the film got off the ground and into the cinema.

– Deborah Shepard on Ramai and Rudall Hayward's filmmaking partnership, in her 2005 book Between the Lives - Partners in Art, page 132

The classification 'S' (Special Note) was created by Censor Gordon Mirams, and only ever used by him, to denote a special note — in this case that the film was suitable for family.

– Film Archive leaflet for To Love a Māori

You can dig the ditches. You can cart the garbage. You can do all the drongo jobs they give the Māoris. But you're going to miss your big chance. You'll be worn out before you're 40.

– Penny (Marie Searell) to Tama (Val Irwin)

Well, for a girl like you, with your background, to love a Māori takes a lot of courage.

– Mrs Hemi (Ramai Hayward) to Penny (Marie Searell)

It's a sad state state of affairs when Māoris have to join the army to learn a trade.

– Mrs Hemi (Ramai Hayward) makes her feelings clear

...can you afford to get married? A flat costs at least $18 a week.

– Mrs Hemi (Ramai Hayward) to Penny (Marie Searell)

I don't think you realise what you're letting yourself in for. These Māori boys are completely unreliable. Always in trouble. You only have to read the papers.

– Penny's mother (Sybil Locke) tries to put Penny (Marie Searell) off having a Māori boyfriend