When a Warrior Dies

This film documents the creation of a memorial in the Bay of Islands, to mark the 1985 bombing of Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior. Artist Chris Booth worked with Greenpeace and the local Ngāti Kura community to create a clifftop sculpture at Mātauri Bay — close to the last resting places of two legendary vessels: the Rainbow Warrior in the waters of the Cavalli Islands, and Mataatua, one of the waka which journeyed from Hawaiki. The film interweaves the back story of the bombing and eventual scuttling of the Rainbow Warrior, with efforts to finish the sculpture in time for commemorations.

Someone has done a cowardly act of murder in the middle of the night, obviously with the intent to kill, as well as to sink our ship...

– Former Greenpeace International director Patrick Moore, who was on the Rainbow Warrior the night she was bombed

Key Cast & Crew

Donna Akersten

Narrator

Philippa Steele

Producer

Tim Woodhouse

Editor

Waka Attewell

Producer, Additional Camera Operator

Martyn Sanderson

Writer

Mike Hardcastle

Director, Cinematographer, Producer