Whina (2022) - full transcript

[WIND BLOWING]

[♪♪♪]

[WOMAN CHANTING IN MAORI]

[GROANS]

[GROANS]

[IN MAORI]

[BABY CRIES]

HEREMIA:

[KARE SOBS, CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

KARE:

Josephina.



- [CHUCKLES]
- [THUNDER RUMBLING]

HEREMIA: Whina.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

[♪♪♪]

[HORSE NEIGHS]

[NEIGHS]

- [IN ENGLISH] Run! Run!
- [MONTGOMERY SHOUTS]

- [HORSES NEIGH]
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[SHOUTING IN MAORI]

Run, grandchild, run.
That bastard has turned up.

Look after the women.

[HORSES NEIGHING]

MONTGOMERY: Whina!

- [HORSE NEIGHS]
- [IN ENGLISH] Where is she?



[ALL CLAMORING]

MONTGOMERY: Whina!

Whina!

Whina Te Wake!

- [SOBS]
- [ALL SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

This is Maori land!
Get out of here!

Whina! Whina Te Wake!
Where is she?

[PANTS] Whina! Whina!

[IN MAORI]

[WOMEN SCREAMING]

[IN ENGLISH]
There they are. Get them!

Whina!

[WOMAN SCREAMING]

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

- [HORSE NEIGHS]
- [MONTGOMERY GRUNTING]

- [GRUNTS]
- [GRUNTS, PANTS]

- [HANDCUFFS CLINKING]
- [BREATHES HEAVILY]

[♪♪♪]

FRANK: I wish you bloody natives

would keep your lot
under control.

Make my job easier.

- MULDER: Thank you.
- [DOOR SQUEALING]

[DOOR CLICKS]

We appreciate your help
with this, Frank.

[KEYS RATTLING]

- [DOOR THUDS]
- MONTGOMERY: What are you doing?

You're gonna let her go?

- FRANK: She'll get a warning.
- A warning?

I want her done for trespass,
vandalism.

- I want her off my land.
- It's Maori land, not yours.

- Your lease means nothing.
- Whina.

This is your doing, isn't it?

Sabotage my drainage,

send your daughter
in to do your dirty work.

Oh, some chief.

MULDER: This chief built
the church that you pray in,

Mr. Montgomery.

Given the circumstances,
the officers decided

that a warning
is an appropriate measure.

So, I do hope
that you can agree with him.

If I catch her on my land again,

I won't be responsible
for what happens.

[DOOR THUDS]

- [BIRDS CALLING]
- [WAVES CRASHING]

WHINA: Papa.

[IN MAORI]

WHINA:

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

PATTIE: [IN ENGLISH]
A hundred and thirty-five years

this has been going on.

- Enough is enough.
- [CROWD CLAMORING]

If we alienate
the Pakeha people,

we will never get our land back.
You won't. Never.

- [CROWD CLAMORING]
- We must work together.

[MAN 2] Ah, stuff them.

They don't care about us.

PATTIE: Whaea.

What do we do?

[WHINA SIGHS] In 1840...

Maori owned 66 million
acres of land

in our country,
Aotearoa New Zealand.

Then our ancestors signed
the Treaty of Waitangi...

and today... we barely
have two million acres left.

- Bastards.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]

My father once said...

"Never sell your land...

even if you're down
to your last penny."

He knew that in order
to face the challenges

of the Pakeha world...

one needed to be smart...

and learn Pakeha ways.

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- WHINA: I do worry...

that if we do not act now...

we may lose our land altogether.

- [THUNDER RUMBLING]
- [♪♪♪]

[WHINA SOBBING]

RICHARD: [IN MAORI]

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

[SOBS]

[CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

- [CARLA CHUCKLING]
- [GERARD CHUCKLING]

[CROCKERY CLATTERING]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

WHINA: Carla.

[SIGHS]

[CARLA SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]

[KISSES]

[FIRE CRACKLING]

[IN ENGLISH]
In the gumfields today,

there was talk
of a new land scheme.

And why would
the government help us?

Banks won't even give us loans.

It would put our land
in their debt,

but if we work
the land hard enough,

we could pay the debt back.

And if we can't?

They'd be setting us up to fail,
you know that.

[IN MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH]
Apirana Ngata is holding

a meeting in Rotorua,
and I would like to go.

They won't want a woman there.

[♪♪♪]

APIRANA: [IN MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH] This land scheme
means machinery and equipment.

It will give you
the ability to farm your land

in a new and modern way,

yielding results that otherwise
would be impossible.

I believe
this is an opportunity.

This is an opportunity
for Maori to run their farms

at the same pace,
if not faster, than the Pakeha.

[IN MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH]
This is a new era...

and we must be ready.

WILLIAM: You look at these

as if you'd never seen
anything like them before.

I haven't.

We don't have carvings
in our houses in the North.

No?

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

I've heard about the North's
embrace of the Catholic Church.

The Church has nothing
to do with it.

The Church encourages
our culture.

And yet
your maraehave no carvings.

[♪♪♪]

- [TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS]
- MAN 2: All aboard!

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS]

[BOOK THUDS]

APIRANA: [IN MAORI]

Oh... [CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

- [LAUGHS]
- [TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS]

GUARD: [IN ENGLISH] All aboard!

[IN MAORI] Go well...

Whina Te Wake.

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS]

[TRAIN ENGINE CHUGGING]

- [♪♪♪]
- [TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[GRUNTING]

[PANTS]

[GRUNTS]

[PLOW CLATTERING]

[HORSE NICKERS]

[IN ENGLISH] Sister! Telegram!

- Oi! Oi!
- HERETUTE: [IN MAORI] A notice.

[HORSE NICKERS]

A notice.

[♪♪♪]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[THUDDING]

[MARCHERS CHANTING IN MAORI]

WHINA: [IN ENGLISH]
We want government

to acknowledge
what is happening to Maori land.

- [ALL CLAMOR]
- We want to have it back!

- [ALL CLAMOR]
- We want to be equal.

- [ALL CLAMOR]
- [IN MAORI] Good. Good.

[IN ENGLISH]
We have joined together,

not just Maori

but Pakeha and Maori,
all of us together.

- [IN MAORI] We are one!
- [ALL CLAMOR]

[IN ENGLISH] And we'll stay
until the government recognizes

our grievances
and returns our land.

And we're prepared
to fight if we have to.

- [ALL CLAMOR]
- [CHUCKLES]

- I beg your pardon?
- Whaea, you must realize

we can't just march
all this way,

build this momentum
and then disperse.

We need answers to our demands,
and we will stay

- until we get them.
- WOMAN: That's right, we will.

I don't know where
you're getting this from, girl.

This cannot
be a violent protest.

How will it look if you...
stay there fighting?

Communities are rising up
all around the world,

indigenous people,

workers, down-trodden people
abused by a system

that doesn't give
a damn about them.

Now is the time to fight back...

- [CROWD CLAMORING]
- PATTIE: ...collectively.

Whaea... we love you.

Everyone here loves you
for your guidance

and everything
you've done for us.

[IN MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH]
But things are changing.

We are changing.
This isn't just your mission.

This is for all of Maori
to decide.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

I see.

I see.

RICHARD: Why?

Whina.

Why?

- You agree.
- But there are still the rules.

[IN MAORI]

- [RICHARD COUGHING]
- [IN ENGLISH] Endless recitals

or getting on with the business
that needs to be done?

- [TABLE THUMPS]
- Stop arguing with me, woman!

- [CUTLERY CLANGING]
- [PANTING]

[IN MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH]
I help you with the farms...

and with the fundraising
for the church. [WHEEZES]

- Richard.
- [INHALES DEEPLY]

If our people are not ready,
when they come to inspect...

[COUGHS, SPEAKS MAORI]

[IN MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH] All those fellas...

knowing I can't control you.

[CUTLERY CLATTERS]

[WHEEZES, COUGHS]

Richard.

- [WHEEZES]
- Richard.

- Richard.
- [COUGHS, SPLUTTERS]

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [♪♪♪]

RICHARD: Whina.

[IN MAORI] Yes.

[WATER SLOSHING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[♪♪♪]

[IN ENGLISH] Hello, Whina.

William Cooper.

So, you're who they sent
to audit us.

Native land
consolidation officer.

Is your husband in?

You want to see the land, right?

- Uh, yes.
- I'll just get ready.

- [♪♪♪]
- WILLIAM: I must say

your progress
is most encouraging.

Ngati Kuri are only
just clearing their unit.

As Apirana Ngata would say,

"competition
increases productivity."

But you already
know that, right?

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

MAN: [IN MAORI] Hello.

[IN ENGLISH] What's that,
120 yards?

I saw you only put
in for 50 yards of ditch.

[SCOFFS] Well, we can do more
if we want to. It's our land.

- Do you disagree?
- Not at all.

So, we'll keep going
all the way up here...

and then along there
as far as we want to.

With the slope of the bank
for self-sustaining drainage.

Just making the land work,
like everyone else.

If only more people
thought like that.

CARLA: [IN MAORI] God bless us

and this food you have given us

through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.

ALL: Amen.

[CROCKERY CLATTERING]

[IN ENGLISH] I hear things went
well out there today.

Oh.

It's some very impressive work
you've done.

Working every hour God gives us.

- [CARLA SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]
- WHINA: [IN MAORI] Yes.

[COUGHS]

[CHILDREN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

- [RICHARD SLURPS]
- WILLIAM: [IN ENGLISH] You know,

there are a number of...

other development schemes
that can learn a lot from you.

- People you could help.
- RICHARD: We'd like that.

[CHUCKLES]

We'd enjoy sharing our knowledge
of the land.

Wouldn't we, Whina? [SPLUTTERS]

[COUGHS, SPLUTTERS]

[GRUNTS, SIGHS]

I think I might turn in early.

- [BREATHES HEAVILY] Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

- [♪♪♪]
- [PANTING]

[COUGHS, BREATHES DEEPLY]

[IN MAORI]

Oh, no. [CHUCKLES] No.

[FIRE CRACKLING]

[CHUCKLES]

[IN ENGLISH] What are you doing?

- Oh, I...
- I didn't ask you to clean up.

Oh, it was no trouble.
I wanted to help.

We don't need your help.
Do you understand? We're fine.

[♪♪♪]

Carla, go to bed.

- Take your brother.
- CARLA: Okay.

[FOOTSTEPS RECEDING]

Perhaps, I'll turn in as well.

What time would you like

- to continue...
- Sunrise.

I'll wake you.

Goodnight, then.

[SIGHS]

[SIGHS]

[♪♪♪]

[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

...and on that hill
is the most incredible view.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[BOTH LAUGHING]

[RAIN PATTERING]

[CAR BRAKE SQUEALS]

[CAR DOOR CLOSING]

[♪♪♪]

[PIANO PLAYING]

[♪♪♪]

I used to come here
when I was a child.

The family that lived here
were friends of my father.

They owned all the land
around here.

As far as you could see.

They miss one piece
of paperwork, and...

it's taken from them.

[♪♪♪]

- [RAIN PATTERING]
- [THUNDER RUMBLING]

I'm sorry, Whina.

I am.

I know things are difficult
for you right now.

If there's anything
I can do to help...

[SIGHS]

[SMOOCHES]

[SMOOCHES]

WHINA: [IN MAORI]

[♪♪♪]

[INHALES SHAKILY]

MULDER: [IN ENGLISH] Your father
used to sit right there

when he needed time with God.

[SNIFFLES]

Go be with Richard now.

You know, he is lucky
to have you as his wife.

And he is a good Catholic.

He'll soon be sitting
next to God.

[SNIFFLES] Thank you, Father.

[♪♪♪]

MULDER: "I will life up
mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help."

"My help cometh from the Lord,
which made heaven and earth."

"Behold, he that keepeth Israel

shall neither slumber
nor sleep."

"The Lord is thy keeper."

"The Lord is thy shade
upon thy right hand."

"The sun shall not smite thee
by day, nor moon by night."

"The Lord shall preserve
thee from all evil."

"He shall preserve thy soul."

"The Lord shall preserve thy
going out, and thy coming in,

from this time forth
and even for evermore."

[IN MAORI] Farewell, my friend.

[WOMAN SINGING IN MAORI]

[ALL SINGING]

WILLIAM: Whina!

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

Keep going.

[SIGHING]

- Whina.
- William...

[IN ENGLISH] ...no.

- I have to go back to Rotorua.
- Then go.

Can we not at least talk?

I said no.

- [BIRDS CALLING]
- [WIND BLOWING]

[WHINA GRUNTING]

[GRUNTS]

[WATER SLOSHES]

[WHINA SIGHING]

[GRUNTS]

- [GRUNTS]
- WILLIAM: Whina!

- Whina, I need to speak to you.
- [PANTING]

WILLIAM: We need to talk.

WHINA: I'm busy!

Okay, then,
well... I'll help you.

[♪♪♪]

Don't be ridiculous.

[GRUNTS]

[SIGHS]

WILLIAM: [SIGHS]
What are we looking for?

- [GRUNTS]
- WILLIAM: Here. Let me help.

WHINA: No,
I don't need your help.

- Please. Please let me help.
- WHINA: I don't need...

- [SIGHS]
- Thank you.

[GRUNTS]

[GRUNTS]

- [PANTS]
- [LAUGHS]

- [PANTS, GROANS]
- [LAUGHS]

- [LAUGHS]
- Hey.

- I'm glad you think it's funny.
- [WHINA LAUGHING]

Here. Let me help you.

[WILLIAM GRUNTING]

I'm sorry about Richard, Whina.

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

I truly am.

I submitted my report
to the commission.

They were just
as pleased as I was.

You did it, Whina. You...
[INHALES DEEPLY]

...succeeded.

[IN MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH] What?

[IN MAORI]

[♪♪♪]

[CHUCKLES] Uh...
[CLEARS THROAT, SNIFFLES]

[IN ENGLISH] Are you...
Are you sure? How many months?

You should know
the answer to that.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

I think I can feel him.

WHINA: You don't know
it's a him.

I know... that I love you...

and that...

I want to be with you.

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

[♪♪♪]

[IN MAORI]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

- [BIRDS CHIRPING]
- [BLOWS]

WHINA:

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

- [CROWD CLAMORING]
- [♪♪♪]

PITA:

HERETUTE:

PITA:

PITA:

[IN ENGLISH] Go, go!
Get in the car!

PITA: [IN MAORI] There he is!

HERETUTE: [IN ENGLISH] Go!
Go! Go, Whina! Get out of here!

Don't come back!

Don't come back!

[♪♪♪]

CYRIL: Whaea.

Are you ready?

WHINA: We have united

to open the eyes
of those who refuse to see...

to see what is right
in front of them...

- the loss of our land.
- [ALL MURMUR]

We will march
the length of this island,

Te Ika-a-Maui,

from the top, all the way down
to Parliament House.

- [ALL MURMUR]
- WHINA: A sacred hikoi...

- to bring us all together.
- [ALL MURMUR]

Te Roopu o te Matakite.

Those with foresight.

That is what we are,
that is what we must be.

- [CROWD MURMURS]
- [CHUCKLES]

We will encounter opposition
of every kind.

Be prepared for abuse.

This is what people do
when they are afraid of you.

They will try to provoke you.

Do not be violent.

Rise above it.

Be proud.

Only then will they know
we are serious.

[CROWD MURMURS]

WHINA: Even our Maori chiefs
have said this march is wrong,

that Maori only march to war,
never peace.

Well, I say we march for both.

CROWD: [IN MAORI] Yes!

WHINA: [IN ENGLISH]
War and peace.

- [ALL CHEER]
- We march.

We march to be seen.
We march to be heard.

We march to wake the conscience
of the Pakeha,

to make the people
of our country know

not one more acre
of Maori land will be stolen.

- [ALL CHEERING]
- WHINA: Not one more acre.

Not one more acre.

[IN MAORI]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[NEWS STING PLAYING ON RADIO]

NEWS REPORTER: [IN ENGLISH]
Good morning

from the New Zealand
Broadcasting Service.

Sir Apirana Ngata
has begun preparations

for the Waitangi
centennial celebrations

to be held at Waitangi
on the sixth of February, 1940.

This momentous occasion
marks 100 years

since the British
and Maori people

signed New Zealand's
founding document,

the Treaty of Waitangi.

[GUNSHOT]

[GUN COCKS]

[GUN COCKS]

[GUNSHOT]

So, that's all you do.
You line it up...

[GUN COCKS]

...and you breathe out slowly,
and you squeeze.

You'd better listen to her, son.

Hey, Dad.

Your mother's Panguru's
sharp-shooting champion.

WHINA: Not anymore.

I doubt they'd find
anyone better.

[GUNSHOT]

[SIGHS]

Doesn't get it from me.

[♪♪♪]

[CUTLERY CLATTERING]

Have you given more thought
to what we talked about?

It's been seven years
since we left Panguru, Whina.

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

WILLIAM:
The land's no good anymore.

Kauri gum gone.

No logging.

[SLURPS]

WILLIAM: It's gonna be harder
and harder to make a living.

The best thing we can do
for the children now

is get them an education.

Use their heads...
not their hands.

And the schools in Auckland
will allow them to do that.

What's the talk around
the Waitangi centennial?

I wouldn't know.

The committee
will have their hands full.

Well, if they're organized,
they'll be fine.

We used to do that
sort of thing all the time.

Not with the numbers
they're talking about.

- [TABLE THUMPS]
- Well, that's their problem,

then, isn't it?

Mum. We'll take them.

Thank you.

I agree.

The land is no good.

They must use their heads now.

[PIGS OINK]

[WHINA SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Good job.

[WHINA SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Good girl.

Whina.

You would've heard about
the Treaty centennial coming up.

[♪♪♪]

Sometimes I wonder
what we're celebrating.

Our land sold from under us.

The power of our chiefs
in the dust.

Our culture...

scattered.

But if things are to change...

we must change them.

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

I need people I can trust
in positions of responsibility.

I am hoping...

you will be one of those people.

I'm not sure
I am one of those people, Api.

Whatever you have been,
through...

Whina...

I know how capable you are.

What is it you'd like me to do?

WILLIAM: Catering?

He's not serious?

It's an important job.

WILLIAM:
It's beneath you, Whina.

- Well, someone has to do it.
- That someone is not you.

You should be
welcoming the dignitaries,

not cooking for them.

Well, perhaps he's right, Wiri.

All our choices
have consequences.

[LOCK CLICKS]

[♪♪♪]

Stand up.

[IN MAORI]

[SIGHS]

- Whina Te Wake.
- [BREATHES DEEPLY]

[KISSES]

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [♪♪♪]

WHINA: Here.

[IN ENGLISH] Ah, there she is.
The great Whina Te Wake.

Miss Ngapuna.

MAHINA:
I'm surprised she's even here

after all that sordid business
back in Panguru.

[♪♪♪]

Always nice to see you, Mahina.

It's a big day for me today,
Whina,

to have my mana
recognized this way,

to be the one to lift
the tapufrom the marae.

You must be very proud.

[IN MAORI]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[MOHI PERFORMING KARAKIA
IN DISTANCE]

[♪♪♪]

[KARAKIA CONTINUES]

We come together in unity
with the past...

ALL: ...present and future.

[GRUNTS]

[PERFORMS KARAKIA]

We come together in unity

with the past, present...

- And future.
- MOHI: ...and future.

[EXCLAIMS]

[MOHI]

[IN ENGLISH]
I should've known asking you

to cater was dangerous.

[CHUCKLES]

- Api...
- APIRANA: I cannot dispute

your right
to do what you have done.

But it is the way you have done
it that is the problem.

How are we to bring
our people together

when they are constantly
leaving in anger?

Every day, I navigate
not only tribal differences

but Maori and Pakeha worlds.

I do it...

because I believe in a future...

where we are closer together...

not further apart.

[CLEARS THROAT]

[GRUNTS]

Now, I'm sure you have enough
to do in the kitchen.

There's nobody left.

[IN MAORI] What?

[IN ENGLISH] Ngati Kuri
won't work for me anymore.

[IN MAORI]

[GRUNTING, PANTING]

Argh!

[GRUNTS, SPEAKS ENGLISH]
Looks like you could do

with some help there, Auntie.

Gabriel?

Are my eyes deceiving me?

[KISSES]

Since when does Panguru
send its angels to war?

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [CHUCKLES]

Well, I guess even angels

have to fight
when they're called.

These your friends?

[SOLDIERS CHATTERING]

WHINA: [IN MAORI] Hello.

Your friends now, Whaea.
Orders of Api.

Let's get to work now, boys.

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [SOLDIERS CHUCKLING]

So, how are things back home?

Kind of happy to leave,
to be honest.

Why's that?

The place feels like it's dying.
There's no jobs.

Nobody's working
the land anymore.

A lot of whanau
are moving away to Auckland.

Isn't someone doing
something about it?

Who?

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[GUITAR PLAYING]

[GROUP SINGING IN MAORI]

[SOLDIERS SINGING IN MAORI]

[SINGING FADES]

- [SEAGULLS MEWING]
- [♪♪♪]

[IN ENGLISH]
We need to go home, William.

- [EXHALES]
- We need to go back to Panguru.

It's my home.

If we go back to Panguru...

we will never be at peace.

They'll make sure of that.

[SIGHS]

[♪♪♪]

[IN MAORI]

- [WHINA CHUCKLES]
- [SIGHS]

- [KISSES]
- [HERETUTE] Aww.

- Wiri.
- [CHILDREN GIGGLING]

WILLIAM: Heretute.

Gosh. Kids, how quickly
you've grown up.

WHINA [IN ENGLISH]: Here...

we will build a meeting hall...

where women
can speak alongside men.

We will have carvings that carry
the stories of our ancestors.

This is how we will bring
hope back to our people.

WILLIAM: This is how you
ruffle feathers, Whina.

WHINA:
Well, let them be ruffled.

Who will do the carvings?

I've already sent word out
to Te Arawa.

I've asked them to send
their master carvers.

They will teach us.

Let me get this straight.

You want to build a marae
where women can speak...

with carvings made
by another iwi?

A meeting hall, not a marae.

And yes.

I only hope Te Arawa agree.

JOSEPH: Mum. Mum!

Te Arawa... they're here.

They've come to join us.

[WOMEN PERFORM KARANGA]

[WHINA CHUCKLES]

[IN MAORI]
Oh, hello, family. [CHUCKLES]

- Be quick. Oh!
- WOMAN: Hello, Whaea.

[IN ENGLISH] We've been waiting
for you.

MAN: Word of your march
is spreading, Whaea.

[SPEAKS MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH] And there's more
on their way.

We're coming with you.

We're coming the whole way,
Whaea.

-[IN MAORI] Hello. Hello
-WOMAN: Hello, family.

[WOMAN 2 PERFORMS KARANGA]

[MAN CHANTS IN MAORI]

[CROWD CHANTING]

[CHANTING CONTINUES]

[♪♪♪]

WHINA: [IN ENGLISH]
This Memorial of Rights...

lists the grievances
of the Maori people

regarding our land.

Rangatira...

pick up the pen...

and join us.

You will see...

that it has been signed
by leaders

from nearly every tribe
in the North.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

This...

will bind us together.

All Maori together.

- All Maori together...
- [CROWD CHEERS]

...to show government
that we are here...

we are united...

and we will not allow one more
acre of our land to be stolen.

[CROWD CHEERS]

So, rangatira...

join our sacred quest.

Do what is right
for your people.

[IN MAORI] Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

[GUITAR PLAYING]

[CROWD SINGING IN MAORI]

WHINA: [IN ENGLISH] I know
many of you are suffering.

I too am suffering
with chronic arthritis.

You know, not long ago...

I could not even get out of bed.

I lay there,
and I thought, "Well...

this is it."

"I can do no more."

"It's time for me to die."

Then that night...

I had a dream.

I was in heaven.

And I saw
all of my old relations.

[GASPS]
And then I saw Jesus. Oh! Oh!

[CHUCKLES]
I could barely look at him.

And I said,
"Oh... please, Lord...

I want to be here with you
and my husband now."

- And he said, "No."
- [CROWD LAUGHS]

He said,
"You have much more to do."

And, oh, well, now I know
why the dear Lord left me here.

To lead this sacred march.
[CHUCKLES]

So, I'd better not let
him down, eh? [CHUCKLES]

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [BIRDS CHIRPING]

[LAUGHTER]

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [BOTTLES CLINKING]

WHINA: Hey! [CHUCKLES]
What is going on out here?

Just getting some fresh air,
Whaea.

Sit down.

You know...

people have been
sent home already

for this sort of behavior.

We're just relaxing, Whaea.
What's the big deal?

It helps us
get through the march.

Helps you get through the march.

Is getting our land back
not enough motivation for you?

What do you think people
are going to make of this...

The ones that are watching us,

waiting for any reason
to shut us down?

Then we just won't get caught,

- Whaea.
- WHINA: Too late.

Get your stuff.

What?

- You are not needed, so leave.
- STACEY: You can't be serious.

- I am deadly serious, girl.
- Whaea!

- [SIGHS]
- [BOTTLE THUDS]

Far out.

Now...

you two... came to me...

and asked me to lead.

So, now you need to decide...

if you stand with us...

or leave with her.

Sorry, Whaea.

[♪♪♪]

- [THUDDING]
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

WHINA: Gabriel.

[IN MAORI]
Let's work together as one.

PITA: Whina!

[IN MAORI]

PITA: [IN ENGLISH]
Whina, there's a lot of talk

in the community.

You're building your own marae,
why?

[IN MAORI]

WHINA: [IN ENGLISH]
Not a marae, a meeting house.

A home where our young men
from war can return to.

[IN MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH] You insult
our maraeby building this.

- [TOOLS CLACKING]
- You insult Te Rarawa

and the people of Waipuna,
and you cause further insult

by bringing in carvers
from Te Arawa.

I know we haven't always
seen eye to eye,

but this isn't about our past
anymore, Whina.

You need to stop
what you're doing.

You need to send
the Te Arawa carvers home.

- [WHINA SIGHS]
- Or this will all end badly.

If I had consulted...

do you really think that
they would've let me do it?

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

WHINA: That's the first time
I've seen him smile

since he came home.

[♪♪♪]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

WHINA: Gabriel.

- [IN MAORI] How're you? [KISSES]
- GABRIEL: Good.

WHINA: [IN ENGLISH]
Father Mulder.

I'm so pleased
you could join us.

I hear you are leaving us soon
for Auckland.

Yes.

That's correct.

Please...

let me show you some
of what we have been doing.

[♪♪♪]

These are our taniwha.

Araiteuru...

Niniwa.

They are the guardians
of the Hokianga harbor...

the protectors of our land.

They will help
to heal our people.

And God, Whina?

How have you healed things
with him?

William and I are married now.

We intend to live
the rest of our lives

in accordance with the church.

I believe that God
has forgiven us.

I would hope you feel the same.

That's between yourself and God.

Thank you for the tour.

[BELL TOLLING]

With my work here
coming to an end...

I've had a lot on my mind.

So, wondering
what I've achieved...

and worrying

about what the future
might hold for Panguru.

I would like to express...
my immediate concerns,

and I hope you hear
the urgency of my words.

"Thou shalt have
no other gods... before me."

"And thou shalt not make...

for yourself...

an image...

in the form of anything...

in the heaven above,
or on the earth beneath

or in the waters below."

So, yesterday, I bore witness...

to wooden carvings...

that were perhaps...

the most offensive...

and grotesque idols
one could possibly imagine.

Reproductive organs...
They were on full display.

There were idols giving birth.

Do you know, it was disturbing.

Disgusting imagery
that no Christian

- should ever be exposed to.
- Excuse me, Father...

- but you are wrong.
- Oh, how dare you.

You should not preach

about things
you do not understand.

Trying to threaten us
with damnation?

We here are the Lord's
most loyal servants.

And who are you to speak to me

- in my church like this?
- My father built this church!

And I'm not going to sit here

and listen to you
preach ignorance.

Come on.

And anyone else
who agrees with me.

[SIGHS]

People are quick to be angry.

They'll come round.

You'll see.

[SIGHS]

The problem with people is that
they can't see what they need

until you put it right
in front of them.

[CHUCKLES]

What?

Nice to hear the old you again.

WHINA: I don't know
who the old me is.

[PIANO PLAYING]

[♪♪♪]

I remember when I first
heard you play this.

[FIRE CRACKLING]

No, no, no, no, no!

- Wiri!
- WILLIAM: Come here!

WHINA: No!

Wiri!

Wiri, no!

Somebody get
the carvings out of there!

Wiri!

Wiri, no!

Wiri!

- [WILLIAM GRUNTS]
- WHINA: Wiri!

[♪♪♪]

[GROANS]

- My chest.
- [SOBS] Help! Help, please!

- Whina.
- WHINA: What's the matter?

- [WHIMPERS] Help!
- Whaea!

- [WHINA SOBS]
- [GABRIEL GRUNTS]

- WHINA: Wiri! I can't hear you.
- [MOUTHS INAUDIBLY]

WHINA: I can't hear you.
Don't do this to me, please.

[SOBS, SCREAMS]

[WAILS]

[SNIFFLES]

[IN MAORI]

[SNIFFLES]

[♪♪♪]

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [DOG BARKING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

[IN ENGLISH] Can I help you?

[WHINA] Hello.
My name is Josephine Cooper.

WOMAN: You're Josephine Cooper?

I rented this house.

I'm sorry, but it seems
we no longer have availability.

- But... I'd already arranged...
- I'm sorry.

- I can't help you.
- Excuse me.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

WHINA:
What are we supposed to do?

[CHILD CRYING IN DISTANCE]

[CHILD CRYING]

[DOG BARKING]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [MAN COUGHING]

[LOCK SCRAPING]

PRIEST: Yes?

- I'm looking for Father Mulder.
- Bishop Mulder?

- Not here.
- Well, where is he?

I'm sorry. You'll have to come
back tomorrow.

No, please.

We need help.

We have nowhere to stay.

- This is not a halfway house.
- No, it is a house of God.

"He who oppresses the poor shows
contempt for their maker...

but whoever is kind
to the needy honors God."

MAN: Brought my family here
for work.

- [MAN 2 COUGHING]
- MAN: But there isn't any.

Couldn't find anywhere to live,
so...

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

...my... my wife, she...

she left.

[MAN 2 COUGHING]

Took my two...
two baby girls with her.

What about marae?

- Where do our people gather?
- [SCOFFS]

I don't know.

The pub.

It's the only place
we're welcome.

And you? Do you have whanauhere?

I have none here.

My husband died.

I couldn't pay rent...

so they put us out
on the street.

Hasn't anybody reached out
to you to help?

Some ladies invited me
to some meeting.

Well, what meeting is this?

Maori Women's Welfare League.

Sounds like a waste
of time to me.

- [INDISTINCT CLAMOR]
- MAN: Please.

[IN MAORI]
Please, ladies, listen up.

[IN ENGLISH] Please.

Please!

[IN MAORI] Listen up!

[IN ENGLISH] Please!

[CLAMOR CONTINUES]

[IN MAORI]

Whina.

MAN: [IN ENGLISH] There is
serious overcrowding

and risk of infectious
disease spread.

- WOMAN 1: There's no jobs.
- [CROWD CLAMORS]

- WOMAN 1: There's no houses.
- [CROWD CLAMORS]

WOMAN 1: Our people
are arriving in the city,

and there's nothing
for them to do.

They can't feed their families.

MAN: I've got a word...

WOMAN 2: Our people
have taken to the drink.

They don't even know
what's important anymore.

WOMAN 1: Can you blame them?

People drink
when they are feeling hopeless,

and their situation is hopeless.
- Get organized.

- [INDISTINCT CLAMOR]
- Get organized!

WOMAN 3: What did she say?

Uh...

Well, if you wanna stay here
arguing in this hall,

then keep going.

But if you want to do
something about it,

- you must get organized.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Strength comes from numbers...
from being united.

[♪♪♪]

If we can get
enough of us together,

we have a real chance
of solving our problems

instead of sitting here,
fighting amongst ourselves.

[CROWD MURMURS]

Well, you say
there aren't enough jobs.

- WOMAN 3: Look around.
- There aren't any houses.

Nobody cares.

Not the church...

not the government.

- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- That's the problem.

The only thing that
will make them care is numbers.

Real numbers.

Statistics...

that we get from getting out
there and surveying Maori.

You know, the government,

it doesn't listen
to angry voices.

The government
listens to paperwork.

Huh? So, we give them
so much damn paperwork,

they'll do anything
they can to get rid of us.

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

And most importantly...

we must look at ourselves.

We must educate our women...

teach them how to cook...

how to sew...
how to run a home...

sanitation, nutrition,

gardening,
looking after our babies.

We must...

take care of our children...
[SIGHS]

...take care
of what they hear...

take care of how they feel.

For how the children grow...

so will be the shape...

of Aotearoa.

[CROWD MURMURS]

Well, that's all I have to say.

- [APPLAUSE]
- You were wonderful.

[CHEERING]

[CHEERING]

[IN MAORI] Let's get to work.

[IN ENGLISH] Let's get to work.

- [WIND BLOWING]
- [♪♪♪]

NEWS REPORTER: Good morning
from Radio New Zealand.

The headlines.

The Maori Land March
led by Whina Cooper

continues to make its way down
the country from the Far North.

Starting with only 50 people,

the march has continued
to gain numbers and momentum

as it travels the 675 miles
to Parliament in Wellington.

Crowds are reported
to be gathering on the roadside

to support the movement.

[MARCHERS CHANT IN MAORI]

[CHANTING CONTINUES IN DISTANCE]

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

[MARCHERS CLAMORING]

[CHANTING IN MAORI]

[CHANTING CONTINUES]

- Are you doing okay, grandchild?
- Yes.

- I'm all right.
- WHINA: Ah! Come on.

[IN MAORI]
That's good, my granddaughter.

- [KNOCKING ON DOOR]
- [♪♪♪]

[IN MAORI] Hello.

[IN ENGLISH] We're
from the Maori Women's

- Welfare League.
- [CHILDREN CHATTERING]

[DOOR CREAKS]

- WHINA: [IN MAORI] Hello.
- Hello.

[IN ENGLISH] So, how many
of you live here

- in your home?
- Just four of us.

- WHINA: Four of you.
- Yeah.

WHINA:
So, you have three children?

Three children.

So, you all sleep
in the same room?

- [IN MAORI] Yes.
- WHINA: Mm.

[DOGS BARKING]

[IN ENGLISH]
And how are you earning

a living to support your family?

Uh, we've been down here
a few months...

- Odd jobs here and there.
- WHINA: Mm-hm.

Anything I could find,
but it's hard to find work.

WHINA: Do you have running water
in your home?

- Yeah. Yes, we do.
- WHINA: You do.

What about electricity?

Sometimes, yeah.

WHINA: [IN MAORI] Hello.

Hi. My name is Whina.

[IN ENGLISH]
Is this where you're living?

- [DOGS BARKING]
- [MOUTHS INAUDIBLY]

Why don't you come with us,
and we'll get you a meal, eh?

- What's your name?
- Toiahukura.

[WHISPERS] Ah, beautiful.

[BABY CRYING IN DISTANCE]

[♪♪♪]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

Whina Cooper.

I see you were elected president

of the Maori Women's
Welfare League.

Sometimes positions of power

weigh heavily on the holder,
do they not?

Part of my job, Father,

is to ascertain the needs
of my people.

And this includes
their spiritual well-being.

Maori are not welcome
in your churches,

that is very clear.

As a result,
they're not attending...

and you are losing some
of your most devout members.

There's many problems
that we are facing,

but I don't wish
for this to be one of them.

Very well.

You consider it done.

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

Whina.

Look, there are things
in my life that I regret...

and some more than others.

My days are spent
converting people

and forgiving them
for the most heinous sins.

But who will forgive mine?

Who will forgive me, Whina?

That is between yourself
and God.

Thank you for your time.

[♪♪♪]

[INHALES DEEPLY]

Now, did you remember
to organize

the housing application
for the Haweas?

- Yes. Whina...
- And what about the food parcels

for the Onehunga
preschool group?

Whina, listen to me.

You need to think
about what we're walking into.

The fact that you've only been
to three meetings

in the last five years
has not been well received.

[CHUCKLES]

A committee has not helped me
make decisions in the past.

I'm not about to start now.

[IN MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH] That's all
I have time to think about.

Whina.

So glad you made it today.

WHINA: Yes, yes,
thank you, Frances.

- Now...
- [DOOR CLOSING]

...shall we begin with a review
of the year's activities?

FRANCES: There is a more...
important matter to discuss.

In the time
you've been president,

your persistence and energy

have been a major asset
to the League.

In recent years...
it seems things have slipped.

You don't attend meetings.

You make decisions
with no consultation.

Your way of doing things

is what was needed
in the past, Whina...

[BREATHES SHAKILY]

FRANCES: ...but it's not
the past anymore.

We are looking to the future.

A future where your way
of doing things...

no longer works.

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

FRANCES: Now, are you all
in agreement with this?

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: [IN MAORI]
Yes.

[IN ENGLISH] Well...

thank you all for your time.

- [BREATHES SHAKILY]
- [♪♪♪]

[NEWS STING PLAYING ON RADIO]

JOE COTE: Good morning
from Radio New Zealand.

This is Joe Cote
with Monday's Morning Report.

The headlines.
The Maori Land March

ends near Parliament today.
The Maori Land Marchers

will reach
their final destination,

Parliament, today.
Two thousand marchers

spent the weekend
at themarae in Porirua

and are just beginning
to leave there for Wellington.

They're expected
to be joined by supporters...

[IN MAORI] It's okay. It's okay.

[MARCHERS CHEER]

[WHISPERS IN ENGLISH]
Come on, Whina.

JOSEPH: I don't know what to do.

[WHISPERS] Come on, Whina.

DOCTOR: When did she last
get out of bed?

You can do this.

JOSEPH: Three weeks ago, maybe.

Come on, Whina.

Well, you need to get her up,
get her moving somehow.

She's in pain.
When I lift her, she cries.

Well, then you need
to keep trying.

I can't help her.

[WHINA GROANS]

- You need your walking stick.
- [GRUNTS]

One more step.

[EXHALES, GROANS]

- [INHALES DEEPLY, GROANS]
- All right.

[IN MAORI] Good.

[WHINA WHIMPERS]

JOSEPH: [IN ENGLISH]
Take your time.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Mmm.

JOSEPH: Mum, you have visitors.

[IN MAORI] Hello, Whaea.

[KISSES]

Hello. [KISSES]

PATTIE: [IN ENGLISH] We've come
to talk about the land.

CYRIL:
The return of stolen land.

PATTIE: Maori land.

- Lead us.
- No one hears us, Whaea.

And no one cares when we speak,
but when you speak,

people listen... All people.

You could make our voices heard.

I've been fighting
my whole life, boy.

My fight is over.

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

[MARCHERS CHANT IN MAORI]

[IN ENGLISH] Come on, Whina.

You can do this.

Come on, Whina.

- [CAR ENGINE WHIRRING]
- [ALL LAUGHING]

[CAR DOOR CLOSING]

Looking good, Auntie.

Oh! Oh, Gabriel! My angel.

GABRIEL: Come on.

[♪♪♪]

GABRIEL: I wanna
show you something.

[INHALES DEEPLY]

Dad saved them.

Got them out of there
before the fire.

Oh! [CRIES]

The people need a leader,
Auntie.

Unite us.

We're ready.

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

[BOOING]

...got heaps of land.
Why do you need any more?

[INDISTINCT CLAMOR]

You're not welcome here.
Get out of here.

- [ALL CLAMORING]
- MAN: Get back. Get back.

- No violence!
- [ALL CLAMORING]

[BOTH GRUNTING]

Ah!

[♪♪♪]

[BOTH SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY
IN MAORI]

[WHINA SOBBING]

[BOTH CHUCKLING]

WILLIAM: Somebody get
the carvings out of there!

- [GROANS]
- WHINA: Help!

[♪♪♪]

[IN MAORI] Oh... yes, yes.

[IN ENGLISH] Are you okay?

Oh, dear.

Pull this old lady up, eh?

Give me a hand.

[GRUNTS, SIGHS]

Ooh, dear.

[SIGHS]

[IN MAORI]

[MARCHERS CHEER]

Power indeed.

[MARCHERS CHANT IN MAORI]

NEWS REPORTER: [IN ENGLISH]
And the news,

as the head
of the Maori Land March

nears Wellington, our reporters
say the column now seems

to number in excess
of 4000 people.

It's been joined
since earlier this morning

by young and old,
and in spite of rain,

which set in late
in the morning,

the marchers' spirits
are still high.

[MARCHERS SINGING IN MAORI]

MAN: [IN ENGLISH] Mr. Speaker...

through you to the Honorable
Prime Minister...

[♪♪♪]

MAN: ...I wish you to receive...

this Memorial of Right...

signed by the various
tribal elders of New Zealand.

Greetings to you,
in whose assembly is vested...

all the powers to amend
and adjust all laws

which inflict injustice
and hardship

upon the Maori people

and in whom is vested...

the power
to confirm all promises

which were made to give relief

to the indigenous people
of New Zealand...

under Her Majesty's Magna Carta
Long live the Queen.

Your Maori people pray...

[IN MAORI]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Wiri.

Oh...

[IN ENGLISH] I'll be there soon.

[IN MAORI] Yes. [CHUCKLES]

[ENGLISH] I'll be there soon.
Mmm.

- [SIGHS HEAVILY]
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[SINGING IN MAORI]

WHINA: Let us all put
our hands together in unity.

Maori and Pakeha together.
The upper house... Upper house.

Let us all remember
that the Treaty was signed

so that we can live together
as one nation in Aotearoa.

[♪♪♪]