Film Treasures Brought Back To Life

Film Treasures Brought Back To Life

Exploring old and treasured pieces of New Zealand film as never before, NGA TAONGA WHITIAHUA premieres on 100 per cent Maori language channel, Te Reo, on Monday July 5 at 9.00 PM, and repeats with subtitles on Maori Television on Wednesday July 7 at 9.30 PM.

Maori Television has joined forces with the New Zealand Film Archive to create this elegant new series, which is based on the impressive contents of the Archive’s Te Kohinga Taonga Maori moving image collection.

The programme’s presenter is Lawrence Wharerau, formerly a presenter for archival television series Koha, now a film researcher, and regarded as having an intimate knowledge of early film and filmmakers in Aotearoa.

With films that date back to the 1920s, the people and events featured in the series are explained by special guests.

“We’re talking to people who can add some texture to the films that we’re seeing, and give us context of the people depicted in these very special pieces of film,” says producer Michele Bristow.

The first episode features film footage of Rua Kenana, at Maungapohatu. Professor Pou Temara of Ngai Tuhoe and expert in te reo Maori and tikanga, adds a richness and depth to the film. Future episodes feature the 1940 Waitangi celebrations, on the water on Ngapuhi waka, Ngatokimatawhaorua.

Bristow says the series required special attention for the sound design.

“Most of the films have no sound at all, so the idea was to create something that fits with the images, and I think this has been really successful. The sound design is true to the period and the essence of what the films are and how they may have been seen by the public of the day.”

Te Reo channel head of programmes Eruera Morgan regards the series as an important part of a strategy to preserve recordings of Maori reo and tikanga.

“Some of these films have never seen the light of day so for me it’s a huge coup,” he says. “This show is part of a continuation of our strategy to preserve our heritage. TE PATAKA KORERO is a show that did that with archived radio recordings, and the next step has been to access the film collections.”

“We could not have done this withot the enduring support and cooperation of the NZ Film Archive. It has been a wonderful collaboration. I am also hugely grateful to the kaitiaki of the iwi estates who gave their blessing to the use of the films.”

Morgan believes the show treats the recordings in a way they’ve never been seen on television.

“Usually when the archives are accessed it is to use as short clips. You don’t get to appreciate these films in their longer form, so it has been a key goal to show the footage in its entirety.”

How our people lived, recorded for us, the next generations. Tune in to NGA TAONGA WHITIAHUA on Te Reo, on Monday July 5 at 9.00 PM, and repeats with subtitles on Maori Television on Wednesday July 7 at 9.30 PM.

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