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Tōtara

“Kua hinga he tōtara i te wao nui ā Tāne”
“A great tree (person of significance) has fallen (passed) in the great forest of Tāne (in this world).”

'Tōtara’ is a story of grief and family, as two siblings converge on their childhood home to reflect on what they have lost and what they still have. This is a song of love, a song for those we remember and a reflection on those who are no longer here.

  • Hattie Adams
    Director
  • Ryan Bradley
    Director
  • Summer Vaha'akolo
    Producer
  • Hattie Adams
    Producer
    Tohorā
  • Ryan Bradley
    Producer
    Tohorā
  • Miriama McDowell
    Key Cast
    "Tārua "
    Whina, Coming Home in the Dark, Creamerie, My Life is Murder
  • Dominic Ona-Ariki
    Key Cast
    "Hēremana"
    One Lane Bridge, The Panthers, Savage
  • Roimata Fox
    Key Cast
    "Tōtara"
    Cowboy Bebop, Muru, Waru
  • Talanoa Fraser
    Key Cast
    "Young Tārua"
    Here If You Need
  • Haz Kake
    Key Cast
    "Young Hēremana"
  • David Argue
    Director of Photography
  • David Argue
    Editor
  • Māhia Nightingale-Pene
    1st AD
    Ahikāroa
  • Aaron Wakely
    Gaffer
  • Amanda Ashton
    Hair, Makeup & Costume Design
    Ahikāroa
  • Luke Ross
    Colourist
  • Leilani Colenutt
    Art Assistant
  • Robbie Adams
    Production Assistant
  • Kent Adams
    Production Assistant
  • Laura Zonnevylle
    Stills Photographer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Tōtara
  • Project Type:
    Music Video
  • Genres:
    Drama, Music, Native
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 22, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    Maori
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Super 8 Film
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Hattie Adams, Ryan Bradley

Producer/Director duo Hattie Adams (Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Huirapa) and Ryan Bradley (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Ngāraranui) met at the New Zealand Broadcasting School and have been collaborating on creative and corporate projects ever since. After graduating the pair have gained experience in multiple areas in the film and tv industry, working for a range of companies including Netflix, Warner Brothers, NBC Universal, Sky TV, Greenstone, Kevin & Co and Kura Productions.

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Director Statement

It's been a privilege to explore themes of grief and family with Aro in their new waiata, ‘Tōtara’. As directors, we wanted to explore loss and legacy in a way that felt familiar, nostalgic and distinct to Aotearoa New Zealand. We are grateful for our amazing actors and talented crew who helped bring our vision to life. As a wider team, we take a lot of pride in our culture and enjoy any opportunity to represent it on screen.