Whale rider (2002), a film by New Zealand director Niki Caro, is based on the novel of the same name by Witi Ihimaera. The novel in turn uses the traditional tale of Paikea, who came to New Zealand on the back of a whale. Whale rider enjoyed extraordinary international success and made the young Māori actress Keisha Castle-Hughes, who played a young, female Paikea, one of New Zealand’s most recognised faces. In this scene the wit and irreverence of Māori humour is shown in the interaction between two generations of Māori women. Also featured are Paikea’s grandmother Flowers (Vicky Haughton) and friends Maka (Mabel Wharekawa-Burt) and Miro (Rawinia Clarke).
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by Niki Caro
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