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National | Politics

Youth answer what it means to be a Māori in the 21st century

A short film, which was recently produced by Ngā Tauira Māori (NTM), the Māori student association of The University of Auckland, has stirred emotions from its online viewers.

Their film was originally produced for a short film competition for Māori tertiary students from across NZ, and was presented at the annual national Māori students conference, Te Huinga Tauira, just last week in Palmerston North.

The theme of the competition was "What it means to be a Māori in the 21st Century", and while NTM's entry placed third overall, since being posted online, it has gained growing interest with positive feedback from national and international viewers.

Director of NTM's short film, Hiku Jackson says, "We wanted to create a film that sent a strong message to all people living in NZ about our people, the low-lights and the positives.  Like many (other) Māori rōpu at universities across Aotearoa, we are a part of new generation of young Māori aspiring to change the way our people are perceived.”

The key objective of the film was to give Māori youth a voice to say what it is like for them to be Māori in this day and age, and ultimately, how Māori people can be empowered.  It also touches on combating negative stereotypes of Māori.

“I was expecting a mixed response from the public but it has been overwhelming.  We’ve received so much positive feedback from Māori across the country and overseas, with some people commenting that they broke down after watching it.” says Hiku.

Former All Blacks, political parties, and even Māori and mainstream radio stations have either shared their responses with the NTM team, or have shared their film via YouTube and Facebook in support of the strong messages portrayed.

You can also watch and share the clip here via YouTube.

** Written by Te Raukura Solomon, Nathaniel Howe & Hikurangi Jackson.

Directed & Edited by Hikurangi Elijah Kimiora Jackson.

A short film depicting our collective thoughts on being Māori in the 21st century.  No paid actors, just members from Ngā Tauira Māori having their say.