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.
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Hattie AdamsDirector
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Ryan BradleyDirector
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Summer Vaha'akoloProducer
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Hattie AdamsProducerTohorā
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Ryan BradleyProducerTohorā
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Miriama McDowellKey Cast"Tārua "Whina, Coming Home in the Dark, Creamerie, My Life is Murder
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Dominic Ona-ArikiKey Cast"Hēremana"One Lane Bridge, The Panthers, Savage
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Roimata FoxKey Cast"Tōtara"Cowboy Bebop, Muru, Waru
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Talanoa FraserKey Cast"Young Tārua"Here If You Need
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Haz KakeKey Cast"Young Hēremana"
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David ArgueDirector of Photography
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David ArgueEditor
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Māhia Nightingale-Pene1st ADAhikāroa
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Aaron WakelyGaffer
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Amanda AshtonHair, Makeup & Costume DesignAhikāroa
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Luke RossColourist
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Leilani ColenuttArt Assistant
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Robbie AdamsProduction Assistant
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Kent AdamsProduction Assistant
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Laura ZonnevylleStills Photographer
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Project Title (Original Language):Tōtara
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Project Type:Music Video
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Genres:Drama, Music, Native
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Runtime:4 minutes 19 seconds
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Completion Date:February 22, 2024
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Country of Origin:New Zealand
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Country of Filming:New Zealand
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Language:Maori
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Shooting Format:Digital, Super 8 Film
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Aspect Ratio:2:35:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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.
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.