On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
Keisha Castle-Hughes
Paikea Apirana
Rawiri Paratene
Koro
Vicky Haughton
Nanny Flowers
Cliff Curtis
Porourangi
Grant Roa
Uncle Rawiri
Mana Taumaunu
Hemi
Rachel House
Shilo
Taungaroa Emile
Willie
Tammy Davis
Dog
Mabel Wharekawa
Maka
Rawinia Clarke
Miro
Tahei Simpson
Miss Parata
Roi Taimana
Hemi's Dad
Elizabeth Skeen
Rehua
Rutene Spooner
Parekura
John Sumner
Obstetrician
Jane O'Kane
Anne
Director, Screenplay
Niki Caro
Author
Witi Ihimaera
Script Consultant
Gavin Strawhan
Script Consultant
Joan Scheckel
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Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$8,000,000.00
Revenue:
$41,400,000.00