Filming our Tangi Scenes

Today was the largest of our Tangi scenes and we had all our extras there. Meredith brought along a local school to give them some on set experience which was great and we had all our guys there for the haka scene.

This was probably one of the most moving days on set. We had the incredible Frances Rangihura teaching Karla karanga. It was so touching to watch Karla connect with her heritage that some of us were brought to tears. Finding her roots and whakapapa for Karla was quite an experience. Here they are together.

We also filmed the haka at the Tangi which was really, really powerful! Amazingly all the time up Anaura we enjoy blue skies and sunshine and just as we started the haka a dark cloud loomed in the background… it couldn’t have been more perfect! This will definitely be a very powerful moment in the film.

We were then back inside the Wharenui filming the rest of the tangi scenes… late into the night.

This was one of our favourite and more emotional moments on set, the moment we wrapped Brian / Coop.

Brian, we are so grateful to you and your family for coming all the way down to Gisborne to be a part of the project! Your acting is outstanding … you were meant to play Coop! You are such an encouragement, meeting you through this process was definitely a highlight! FOR THE WIN!!!