Awa Films

Project Development
Script Writing
Full Production
Post Production Awa Films is a creative development company working in visual and audio mediums.
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Awa Films is a leading indigenous production company led by award winning filmmakers Julian and Becs Arahanga. The company draws its storytelling inspiration from its name Awa which is the Māori word for river that weaves connections of people, water and land. There is a real passion at Awa Films to tell Māori stories to a global audience and is capture in the companies internal mantra "Indigenous

ly inspired for all”. Recently Julian was awarded SPADA Independent Producer of the Year, and Becs was award the SPADA New Film Maker of the Year. Awa Film's credits: Series Colonial Combat and Songs from the Inside, short films Hinekura, Laundry and documentaries Pixie and Beyond the Battalion. They are currently developing several high end drama TV Shows for local and International audiences, including Fox and I Am Māui. We create and develop stories that can be expressed through cinema, television, interactive, music and print. The company is built around the development and creation of a film and media catalogue, that is branded with our unique voice. We are building our brand around Maori themes and ideologies that will be accessible to a global audience.

27/11/2023

All the episodes of 'Life in the FFN' are up on Māori + Thanks for all the positive feedback! Whakaata Māori

Life in the far, far, north is about finding your feet in a community. See the stories of people who are at different stages of 'rangatiratanga' in their community.

27/11/2023

Episode #6: Penetauī Kleskovic - Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi

Penetaui Kleskovic faces the daily challenges of working as a local Māori councilman with a focus on iwi investment. He honours his Yugoslavian heritage and the gum-digging history in the FFN.

Watch 'Life in the FFN' on Monday nights at 7.30pm on Whakaata Māori.

https://www.maoriplus.co.nz/details/TV_SHOW/collection/6338747726112/life-in-the-ffn

23/11/2023

Our Film Te Reo Rangatira - Maizy Metekingi won the Ngākau Ora award at the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand Film Festival!

The screening is on tonight and on the 28th November at the Embassy Theatre. It will be great to see our reo film on the big screen with some other incredible films on the programme.

Te Māngai Pāho

23/11/2023

The NZ Film On Demand platform will be hosting the online programme of the Aotearoa Mental Health Film Festival from December 1 - 22 2023. The festival will feature 18 NZ short films, focusing on shifting perspectives on mental health one frame at a time.

Tickets for the festival will give you access to the festival films on the NZ Film On Demand platform.

You can purchase tickets to the online festival here https://mhfilmfest.org.nz/online, until December 22 2023.

Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

23/11/2023

20/11/2023

Episode #6: Lance Taylor and Deena Taylor - Te Aupōuri & Ngāti Kuri

After spending twenty years in Australia, nothing beats home in the FFN for married couple Lance and Deena. They show their gratitude for their home through kaitiakitanga.

Watch 'Life in the FFN' on Monday nights at 7.30pm on Whakaata Māori.

https://www.maoriplus.co.nz/details/TV_SHOW/collection/6338747726112/life-in-the-ffn

13/11/2023

This guy a lyrical genius with a heart of gold Tihei Harawira aka veganfreestyle mc. Check him out tonight on Whakaata Māori 7:30pm.

13/11/2023

Episode #5: Tihei Harawira - Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa

Aiming to eradicate the stigma surrounding autism, vegan, free-style rap artist Tihei Harawira performs his music to connect with people.

06/11/2023

Episode #4: Rosie King - Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Mahanga

Rosie King credits her positive attitude to a life of sport, waka ama and her love of horses. She passes her knowledge to the local rangatahi.

Catch 'Life in the FFN' on Whakaata Māori - Monday nights at 7.30pm.

https://www.maoriplus.co.nz/details/TV_SHOW/collection/6338747726112/life-in-the-ffn

30/10/2023

Musician and skater, Derek Ashley, works to change the narrative of his community, showing us how he holds it down for the rangatahi in the far far north.

Catch 'Life in the FFN' on Whakaata Māori - Monday nights at 7.30pm

https://www.maoriplus.co.nz/details/TV_SHOW/collection/6338747726112/life-in-the-ffn

24/10/2023

Episode Two: Hine Waitai shows us how young people do it in the FFN. She’s continuing traditions, whether it's exploring her tā moko craft, working to protect the environment, or getting out for some hunting with her dad.

https://www.maoriplus.co.nz/details/TV_SHOW/collection/6338747726112/life-in-the-ffn

18/10/2023

Did you miss the first episode of Life in the FFN on Monday night? You can catch it on Māori + Link below.

Life in the far, far, north is about finding your feet in a community. See the stories of people who are at different stages of 'rangatiratanga' in their community.

13/10/2023

Brandon Te Moananui on RNZ airwaves with Jesse Mulligan talking about Te Reo Rangatira- Maizy Metekingi showcasing with eight other great short films at the Mental Health Film Festival.

Listen here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018911010/film-festival-acknowledges-mental-health

Tickets are here: https://mhfilmfest.org.nz/the-event

While nearly half of us will experience a diagnosable mental illness at some point in our lives, only two percent of characters in top box-office grossing films are portrayed that way. A new film festival is setting out to change that, showing that mental health challenges are part of the human expe...

09/10/2023

Te Reo Rangatira - Maizy Metekingi has been selected for the (first ever) Aotearoa Mental Health Film Festival with screenings throughout Aotearoa in November/December. Eight films were selected from 1620 entries from Aotearoa and internationally!

Find out more on their website, all proceeds go to the Mental Health Foundation for the great work they do.
https://mhfilmfest.org.nz/tickets

Screenings in Tāmaki Makaurau, Kirikiriroa, Ōtautahi, Te-Whanganui-A-Tara, Taurangai, Ahuriri.

19/09/2023

Recollecting the corporal punishment from school, Dion recalls his reo journey and connection with Whanganui awa. He lives with muscular dystrophy and has dedicated many years to learning te reo.
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Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language.

Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whānau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives.
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E mahara ake ana a Dion ki te whiunga ā-ringa i te kura, ā, ka maumaharatia e ia tana haerenga reo me tōna hononga ki te awa o Whanganui. E pāngia ana ia e te muscular dystrophy, ā, he maha ngā tau kua manawanui mai ia ki te reo.
--------------
E whakatakina ana e Nepia Takuira-Mita, ko Te Reo Rangatira tētahi hōtaka e aro ake ana ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori mā te whai i ngā haerenga o te hunga kua kawe i te mānuka o te ako i Te Reo Māori hei reo tuarua.

Ka kōrerotia e ia tangata ōna ake wero ā-whaiaro mō te tuakiri, mō te whānau, mō te iwi, mō te mahi, mō te hauora ā-hinengaro anō hoki, ā, me ngā hua haumako ki ngā ao o tēnā, o tēnā kua ahu mai i te ako i te reo.

14/09/2023

Matiu's te reo journey got its start at school through Kapa haka and waiata. He shares his inspirational story of finding strength in the land, meditation and his passion for music.
---------------------------
Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language.

Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whānau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives.
---------------------------
I tīmata te haerenga reo o Matiu i te kura nā te kapa haka, nā te waiata anō hoki. Ka kōrerotia e ia tana kōrero whakaohooho mō tana whai kaha mai i te whenua, i te whakaāio wairua, i tana
ngākau whiwhita ki te puoro anō hoki.
---------------------------
E whakatakina ana e Nepia Takuira-Mita, ko Te Reo Rangatira tētahi hōtaka e aro ake ana ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori mā te whai i ngā haerenga o te hunga kua kawe i te mānuka o te ako i Te Reo Māori hei reo tuarua.

Ka kōrerotia e ia tangata ōna ake wero ā-whaiaro mō te tuakiri, mō te whānau, mō te iwi, mō te mahi, mō te hauora ā-hinengaro anō hoki, ā, me ngā hua haumako ki ngā ao o tēnā, o tēnā kua ahu mai i te ako i te reo.

13/09/2023

As a pākehā learner, Melanie Nelson, expresses the anxieties she has felt in her te reo journey. Her perseverance led her to a career in cross-cultural strategy, writing and translation.
---------------------------
Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language.

Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whānau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives.
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Hei ākonga Pākehā, ka whakapuakina e Melanie Nelson ngā āwangawanga kua rangona e ia i tana haerenga reo Māori. Kua ara ake tana ū ki te reo ki āna mahi hei tūhono mai i ngā ao e rua, mā te mahi rautaki, mā te tuhituhi, mā te whakamāori anō hoki.
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E whakatakina ana e Nepia Takuira-Mita, ko Te Reo Rangatira tētahi hōtaka e aro ake ana ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori mā te whai i ngā haerenga o te hunga kua kawe i te mānuka o te ako i Te Reo Māori hei reo tuarua.

Ka kōrerotia e ia tangata ōna ake wero ā-whaiaro mō te tuakiri, mō te whānau, mō te iwi, mō te mahi, mō te hauora ā-hinengaro anō hoki, ā, me ngā hua haumako ki ngā ao o tēnā, o tēnā kua ahu mai i te ako i te reo.

12/09/2023

Wellington-based Rere-No-A-Rangi’s mahi is working with Māori land claims. He is passionate about the revitalisation of te reo.
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Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language.

Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whānau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives.
------------
Ko te haerenga reo o Rere-No-A-Rangi tētahi ara mō te whakapuakitanga hei whakapakari i tana hinengaro, i tana tinana, i tana wairua anō hoki. E whai ana āna mahi mō ngā mauhanga whenua Māori ki te whakamana i ētahi atu tāngata Māori me ō rātou hapori.
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E whakatakina ana e Nepia Takuira-Mita, ko Te Reo Rangatira tētahi hōtaka e aro ake ana ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori mā te whai i ngā haerenga o te hunga kua kawe i te mānuka o te ako i Te Reo Māori hei reo tuarua.

Ka kōrerotia e ia tangata ōna ake wero ā-whaiaro mō te tuakiri, mō te whānau, mō te iwi, mō te mahi, mō te hauora ā-hinengaro anō hoki, ā, me ngā hua haumako ki ngā ao o tēnā, o tēnā kua ahu mai i te ako i te reo.

11/09/2023

Glenis' te reo journey is whanau-based and has led to professional success in government roles. Glenis is writing a theatre play in te reo about her early experiences at school.
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Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language.

Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whanau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives.
------------
Nā te aroha, nā te whānau hoki i ako a Glenis i te reo hei rongoā mō te whakamā kua rangona e ia i tana kore mōhio ki te reo, ā, kei te whakapau kaha ia kia ora tonu te reo.
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E whakatakina ana e Nepia Takuira-Mita, ko Te Reo Rangatira tētahi hōtaka e aro ake ana ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori mā te whai i ngā haerenga o te hunga kua kawe i te mānuka o te ako i Te Reo Māori hei reo tuarua.

Ka kōrerotia e ia tangata ōna ake wero ā-whaiaro mō te tuakiri, mō te whānau, mō te iwi, mō te mahi, mō te hauora ā-hinengaro anō hoki, ā, me ngā hua haumako ki ngā ao o tēnā, o tēnā kua ahu mai i te ako i te reo.

10/09/2023

From a young age, Maizy struggled with her mental health and her identity as Māori. Learning te reo Māori reconnected her with her māoritanga, leading her to find her passion in the arts.
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Mai i te wā e tamariki ana ia, i oke a Maizy i tana hauora ā-hinengaro, i tana tuakiri hei Māori anō hoki. Nā te ako i te reo Māori ia i tūhono anō ki tōna Māoritanga, nā reira tana ngākau whiwhita mō ngā toi.

̄ori

06/09/2023

Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language.

Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whānau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives.

Funded by Te Māngai Pāho

04/09/2023

We have dropped a few new clips on our YouTube Channel including this soulful song by Troy Kingi sung on the grounds of Christchurch prison for the 'Songs from the Inside' series. Enjoy!

Troy Kingi sings 'Lest we Forget', a song for the ANZACs at Christchurch Men's Prison.Songs from the Inside is a documentary television series on Maori Telev...

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127 Park Road, Miramar
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Website

http://www.awa.co.nz/

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Videos

Te Reo Rangatira Series Trailer

Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language. Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whānau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives. Funded by Te Māngai Pāho

Te Reo Rangatira - Dion Ponga

Recollecting the corporal punishment from school, Dion recalls his reo journey and connection with Whanganui awa. He lives with muscular dystrophy and has dedicated many years to learning te reo. -------------- Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language. Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whānau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives. -------------- E mahara ake ana a Dion ki te whiunga ā-ringa i te kura, ā, ka maumaharatia e ia tana haerenga reo me tōna hononga ki te awa o Whanganui. E pāngia ana ia e te muscular dystrophy, ā, he maha ngā tau kua manawanui mai ia ki te reo. -------------- E whakatakina ana e Nepia Takuira-Mita, ko Te Reo Rangatira tētahi hōtaka e aro ake ana ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori mā te whai i ngā haerenga o te hunga kua kawe i te mānuka o te ako i Te Reo Māori hei reo tuarua. Ka kōrerotia e ia tangata ōna ake wero ā-whaiaro mō te tuakiri, mō te whānau, mō te iwi, mō te mahi, mō te hauora ā-hinengaro anō hoki, ā, me ngā hua haumako ki ngā ao o tēnā, o tēnā kua ahu mai i te ako i te reo.

Te Reo Rangatira - Maizy Metekingi

From a young age, Maizy struggled with her mental health and her identity as Māori. Learning te reo Māori reconnected her with her māoritanga, leading her to find her passion in the arts. --------------------------- Mai i te wā e tamariki ana ia, i oke a Maizy i tana hauora ā-hinengaro, i tana tuakiri hei Māori anō hoki. Nā te ako i te reo Māori ia i tūhono anō ki tōna Māoritanga, nā reira tana ngākau whiwhita mō ngā toi. #tewikiotereomāori #tereorangatira

Te Reo Rangatira - Glenis Hiria Philip-Barbara

Glenis' te reo journey is whanau-based and has led to professional success in government roles. Glenis is writing a theatre play in te reo about her early experiences at school. ------------ Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language. Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whanau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives. ------------ Nā te aroha, nā te whānau hoki i ako a Glenis i te reo hei rongoā mō te whakamā kua rangona e ia i tana kore mōhio ki te reo, ā, kei te whakapau kaha ia kia ora tonu te reo. ------------ E whakatakina ana e Nepia Takuira-Mita, ko Te Reo Rangatira tētahi hōtaka e aro ake ana ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori mā te whai i ngā haerenga o te hunga kua kawe i te mānuka o te ako i Te Reo Māori hei reo tuarua. Ka kōrerotia e ia tangata ōna ake wero ā-whaiaro mō te tuakiri, mō te whānau, mō te iwi, mō te mahi, mō te hauora ā-hinengaro anō hoki, ā, me ngā hua haumako ki ngā ao o tēnā, o tēnā kua ahu mai i te ako i te reo.

Te Reo Rangatira - Matiu te Hiku

Matiu's te reo journey got its start at school through Kapa haka and waiata. He shares his inspirational story of finding strength in the land, meditation and his passion for music. --------------------------- Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language. Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whānau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives. --------------------------- I tīmata te haerenga reo o Matiu i te kura nā te kapa haka, nā te waiata anō hoki. Ka kōrerotia e ia tana kōrero whakaohooho mō tana whai kaha mai i te whenua, i te whakaāio wairua, i tana ngākau whiwhita ki te puoro anō hoki. --------------------------- E whakatakina ana e Nepia Takuira-Mita, ko Te Reo Rangatira tētahi hōtaka e aro ake ana ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori mā te whai i ngā haerenga o te hunga kua kawe i te mānuka o te ako i Te Reo Māori hei reo tuarua. Ka kōrerotia e ia tangata ōna ake wero ā-whaiaro mō te tuakiri, mō te whānau, mō te iwi, mō te mahi, mō te hauora ā-hinengaro anō hoki, ā, me ngā hua haumako ki ngā ao o tēnā, o tēnā kua ahu mai i te ako i te reo.

Te Reo Rangatira - Melanie Nelson

As a pākehā learner, Melanie Nelson, expresses the anxieties she has felt in her te reo journey. Her perseverance led her to a career in cross-cultural strategy, writing and translation. --------------------------- Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language. Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whānau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives. --------------------------- Hei ākonga Pākehā, ka whakapuakina e Melanie Nelson ngā āwangawanga kua rangona e ia i tana haerenga reo Māori. Kua ara ake tana ū ki te reo ki āna mahi hei tūhono mai i ngā ao e rua, mā te mahi rautaki, mā te tuhituhi, mā te whakamāori anō hoki. --------------------------- E whakatakina ana e Nepia Takuira-Mita, ko Te Reo Rangatira tētahi hōtaka e aro ake ana ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori mā te whai i ngā haerenga o te hunga kua kawe i te mānuka o te ako i Te Reo Māori hei reo tuarua. Ka kōrerotia e ia tangata ōna ake wero ā-whaiaro mō te tuakiri, mō te whānau, mō te iwi, mō te mahi, mō te hauora ā-hinengaro anō hoki, ā, me ngā hua haumako ki ngā ao o tēnā, o tēnā kua ahu mai i te ako i te reo.

Te Reo Rangatira- Rere-No-A-Rangi Pope

Wellington-based Rere-No-A-Rangi’s mahi is working with Māori land claims. He is passionate about the revitalisation of te reo. ------------ Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language. Each person shares their personal challenges with identity, whānau, iwi, mahi, and mental health and how learning reo has enriched their lives. ------------ Ko te haerenga reo o Rere-No-A-Rangi tētahi ara mō te whakapuakitanga hei whakapakari i tana hinengaro, i tana tinana, i tana wairua anō hoki. E whai ana āna mahi mō ngā mauhanga whenua Māori ki te whakamana i ētahi atu tāngata Māori me ō rātou hapori. ------------ E whakatakina ana e Nepia Takuira-Mita, ko Te Reo Rangatira tētahi hōtaka e aro ake ana ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori mā te whai i ngā haerenga o te hunga kua kawe i te mānuka o te ako i Te Reo Māori hei reo tuarua. Ka kōrerotia e ia tangata ōna ake wero ā-whaiaro mō te tuakiri, mō te whānau, mō te iwi, mō te mahi, mō te hauora ā-hinengaro anō hoki, ā, me ngā hua haumako ki ngā ao o tēnā, o tēnā kua ahu mai i te ako i te reo.

Colonial Combat - Rangatira Kingi

Lawrence Wharerau gives some insight into his character Rangatira Kingi. Colonial Combat is an action-packed series that takes a laugh at our unofficial colonial history. Episodes 5-10 out tomorrow. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/colonial-combat

Fueling Colonial Combat 2

To make this ambitious web series called Colonial Combat 2. We had a lot of support including a generous coffee sponsorship from L'affare. A huge shout out to L'affare for keeping the haka fires burning!

Shifty and Gussy lay down the challenge

In the sleepy coastal village of Whara Bay the Uncles Shifty and Gussy are the go to men for everything.

Thanks for the coffee buzz L'affare #takesavillage #coffee #sponsorship #goodtimes #ihi #kaha #wharabay #uncles #TV Maori Television #titahibay

Colonial Combat - Coming Soon

Here is a little taster of our next project - Colonial Combat. A wrestling web series set in 1835, Aotearoa. We are shooting Avalon Studios in early November. Like our page AWA films to keep up to date with the project.

TRAILER: Beyond the Battalion

The trailer made by Maori Television for 'Beyond the Battalion' - A feature documentary on Anzac Day 6.45am and 7pm

Shortcuts

Our Story

Awa Films is a creative development and production company working in visual and audio mediums. We create and develop stories that can be expressed through cinema, television, interactive, music and print. The company is built around the development and creation of a film and media catalogue, that is branded with our unique voice. We are building our brand around Maori themes and ideologies that will be accessible to a global audience. Company Director Julian Arahanga has 20 years experience in the film and television industry. He has worked on a range of productions with some of the world's most influential filmmakers. His experience provides the foundation and gives Awa Films an insightful perspective in the development and management of projects.