Kaimahi

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari kē he toa takitini

Madeleine Hakaraia de Young

Festival Director

Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga
She/Her

Libby Hakaraia

Hōtaka Toi

Ngāti Raukawa Ki Te Tonga

Jasmine Day

Ngā Kōrero Manaaki Manuwhiri

Ngāpuhi

Tipo (Ethan Seddon-Cope)

Kaihautū Hangarau

Ngāpuhi

Marli van den Assum

Kaimanaaki Whakahaere

Ngāpuhi
She/Her

Maaka Gair Houia

Kaiwhakahaere Hangarau

Ngāti Porou

Maakarita Paku

Kaitiaki Toi

Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe

Contact us at festival@maorilandfilm.co.nz

Kaiwhakarite Kiriata

Our approach to curation is rooted in Ngā Pou O Te Whare o Māoriland. We prioritise the representation and inclusion of Indigenous voices, ensuring that all works are created by Indigenous filmmakers or artists who self-identify with their heritage. By fostering an environment of collaboration and equity, we encourage filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to share their stories, while actively engaging with the Ōtaki community to enhance cultural understanding and appreciation.

We seek to present a range of content for the whole community – young and old. We prioritise work which:

Innovates to present unique and new Indigenous perspectives
Provides a portal to the Indigenous world for ALL peoples.
Upholds the mana (respect for) and inspiration of our storytellers – guided by our elders and taught by our children.
Respects our audience
Is relevant in regards to emerging themes and issues which shape our wider Indigenous experience.

A principle of our mahi is tuakana teina. Our programming team is made up of Māoriland kaimahi – new and experienced, from a range of backgrounds who each bring their love for Indigenous storytelling to the curation of this festival. Through this process, we bring new energy and perspectives to our programming while growing the experience of our creative community.

Ngā Pakiaka Tātai Tauatanga

Our festival succession strategy

Ngā Pakiaka – Tātai Tauatanga develops rangatahi leaders by placing them as teina in key festival roles, working alongside experienced Tuakana in an applied learning environment.

Māoriland Film Festival (MFF) is an internationally recognised, Māori-led festival celebrating Indigenous storytelling, held annually in Ōtaki. Over the past 10 years, the MFF has showcased diverse Indigenous cultures through films, creative technology, and Māori visual arts. With a focus on inclusivity and cultural exchange, we foster connections and collaborations between cultures and audiences.

Ngā Pakiaka Tātai Tauatanga is our succession plan. Senior festival kaimahi (tuakana) will mentor and train emerging festival producers (teina) as they help deliver the festival. The teina will shadow and support the team to gain a deep understanding of festival operations to develop future festival kaimahi. This tuakana-teina learning model promotes industry skills and pathways in a uniquely Māori environment.

By developing rangatahi talent, fostering collaboration, and creating opportunities for new work, the MFF supports the growth of a sustainable and vibrant Māori arts ecosystem. Our aim is to build a network of skilled and connected arts practitioners who will contribute to the long-term sustainability of Māori arts festivals.

Ngā Pakiaka Tātai Tauatanga is part of Te Uru Maire – Māoriland’s Māori Trades Training Program.
Participants will be paid for their participation in the kaupapa.

Ngā Pakiaka

Ngā Pakiaka are the roots of Māoriland. By developing emergent leaders, we support the growth of the next generation of creatives – Te Uru Maire.

Since the establishment of Ngā Pakiaka in 2016, we have fostered many emergent leaders who have distinguished themselves through their abilities, actions, and characteristics that inspire others to follow them.

Māoriland Film Festival is recognised as a trailblazer in nurturing new talent. Rangatahi are already actively involved in the festival, engaging in programming, pre-production, and event presentation. Known as Ngā Pakiaka, these rangatahi are critical contributors to the Māoriland success.