Story: Documentary film

Tangata whenua

This is a short extract from the sixth and final part of the Tangata whenua documentary television series from 1974. Here, writer Witi Ihimaera introduces the community of Waituhi near Gisborne and explains the meaning of the land to the community. Most of the programme was fronted by historian Michael King, and it was directed by Barry Barclay for Pacific Films. Tangata whenua was regarded at the time as a path-breaking documentary series because of its honest and intimate look at tribal traditions from an openly Māori perspective.

Using this item

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Reference: Tangata Whenua, The people of the land. The carving cries [videorecording]. Producer, John O’Shea; director, Barry Barclay. Wellington: Pacific Films, 1974.

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How to cite this page:

Helen Martin, 'Documentary film - The television era', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/43594/tangata-whenua (accessed 14 May 2024)

Story by Helen Martin, published 22 Oct 2014