Pākiri: The Filmmaker, the Cook & the Singer (1999)
A short New Zealand documentary capturing three accomplished wahine Māori in candid, heartfelt conversation at Pākiri beach.
Pākiri: The Filmmaker, the Cook & the Singer - Movie Information
- Original Title: Pākiri: The Filmmaker, the Cook & the Singer
- Release Year: 1999
- Directed by: Sam Cruickshank
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 16m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: University of Auckland
- Production Countries: New Zealand
Pākiri: The Filmmaker, the Cook & the Singer - Plot
As the name of this short film promises, a filmmaker (Merata Mita), a cook (Anne Thorp) and a singer (Moana Maniapoto) sit down for an interview at Pākiri beach. With a focus on their personal lives, these highly accomplished wahine Māori are generous in sharing what motivates and challenges them in their mahi — with friendship a recurring theme. Filmed a year after the disbanding of her group Moana and the Moahunters, Maniapoto is particularly vulnerable in her reflections. The film was made by Honours student Sam Cruickshank as part of a Film and Media Studies degree at Auckland University.
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Pākiri: The Filmmaker, the Cook & the Singer - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sam Cruickshank
Main Cast
- Anne Thorp
- Merata Mita
- Moana Maniapoto
Writers
- Sam Cruickshank
Producers
- Sam Cruickshank
Pākiri: The Filmmaker, the Cook & the Singer - FAQs
Who are the three women featured in Pākiri?
The film brings together three remarkable wahine Māori: Merata Mita, the pioneering filmmaker; Anne Thorp, the cook; and Moana Maniapoto, the celebrated singer. All three sit down for an intimate interview at Pākiri beach, sharing personal reflections on their work, their lives, and the friendships that sustain them.
What is Pākiri: The Filmmaker, the Cook & the Singer about?
Pākiri is a short 1999 New Zealand documentary in which three accomplished Māori women — a filmmaker, a cook, and a singer — gather at Pākiri beach for an honest, warm conversation. They reflect on what drives them, the challenges they face in their respective fields, and the deep importance of friendship and community in their lives.
Who directed Pākiri and why was it made?
Sam Cruickshank directed Pākiri as an Honours student project for a Film and Media Studies degree at the University of Auckland. The film stands as a thoughtful, intimate portrait of three high-achieving Māori women, demonstrating both Cruickshank's skill as a filmmaker and a genuine respect for her subjects.
Why is Moana Maniapoto particularly vulnerable in the film?
Pākiri was filmed just a year after the disbanding of Moana and the Moahunters, her influential group. That timing makes her reflections especially raw and honest. She opens up about the emotional weight of that transition, touching on themes of identity, purpose, and what truly matters — captured in the film's memorable tagline about health over fame.
Who was Merata Mita and why does she matter?
Merata Mita was a groundbreaking Māori filmmaker and activist, widely regarded as one of New Zealand cinema's most significant voices. She was the first indigenous woman in the world to solely direct a dramatic feature film. Her appearance in Pākiri offers a rare, personal glimpse into her thoughts beyond her celebrated body of work.
How long is Pākiri: The Filmmaker, the Cook & the Singer?
Pākiri runs for 16 minutes, making it a short documentary. Despite its brief runtime, the film packs in a great deal of warmth, candour, and insight, as three remarkable Māori women share their experiences, motivations, and the role of friendship in sustaining their creative and personal lives.
What themes does Pākiri explore?
At its heart, Pākiri explores identity, creative purpose, and the sustaining power of friendship among Māori women. The film touches on the challenges of working in predominantly non-Māori industries, the personal costs of public life, and what it means to find meaning and community through mahi — a Māori concept encompassing work and purpose.
What are some similar documentaries to Pākiri?
If Pākiri resonates with you, you might enjoy Trick or Treaty? (2014), Eagle Boy (2018), Aitamaako'tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun (2023), and Tokyo Ainu (2013) — all documentaries that centre indigenous voices, culture, and lived experience with similar intimacy and respect.
More About Pākiri: The Filmmaker, the Cook & the Singer
Explore further details about this film on the following resources.