Winners & Losers: Big Brother, Little Sister

Almost two decades before Once Were Warriors, another drama about urban Māori under pressure stirred controversy. Hema (Dale Williams) and Janey (Julie Wehipeihana) are two kids adrift in the city, trying to escape a broken home. Screen historian Trisha Dunleavy found this "the most powerful and controversial" edition of the Winners & Losers series; it was TV's first drama about "the alienation of Māori in a contemporary urban setting". Based on a Witi Ihimaera story, it also marked the first solo directing credit for Ian Mune. He later directed the sequel to Once Were Warriors. 

This story probably departs from the original the least of all the films … the situation could arise in any family where there is, for instance, a mother who is as insecure as Wiki.

– Director Ian Mune, in 1977 Department of Education booklet Big Brother, Little Sister - Shooting Script

Key Cast & Crew

Witi Ihimaera

Original Author

Ian Mune

Director, Producer

Roger Simpson

Writer

Roger Donaldson

Producer, Cinematographer

Johnny Johnstone

As: Man

Jim Coates

As: Drunk