Awa Films

15/04/2026

Tēnā koutou katoa,

We just want to take a moment to say a huge thank you to all the incredible young wāhine who auditioned for Kiri.

The level of talent, courage, and presence we saw was honestly inspiring. Every single one of you brought something unique and powerful into the room, and it made this decision incredibly tough.

There is so much talent out there, it gives us a lot of hope for what’s coming next. It takes real courage to put yourself forward like that, and we don’t take it lightly.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. We hope to work with many of you in the future - this won’t be the last time we see your faces 💜

23/03/2026

📣 Kia hiwa rā! Kia hiwa rā! Tēnā koutou e te motu. We are casting for a kōtiro Māori (10-17yrs with conversational te reo Māori) for a new drama series filming in Te Whanganui-a-Tara across late May 2026 📽️

If you are passionate about acting and can embody a character who is calm, pure and fearless, then we would love to hear from you 🗣️

📆 Applications will close after the 4th of April! We welcome your applications via the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1O0kUJUDvxgdOAaOp19QlDOh-66jOgS--GCw81mSapnw/viewform?edit_requested=true

For more info, contact 🔗 [email protected]

27/10/2025

Thank you, Verity Johnson for keeping the pressure on the government to make good on its promise. The Stolen Children of Aotearoa is a hard watch but necessary to be conscious of the story many of the survivors went through.

OPINION: The Government’s move to make it harder for some victims of abuse in state care to access compensation is disgusting.

18/08/2025

TONIGHT ON MĀORI TV! 8.30 pm OUR NEW FILM - Mana Moana Mana Tangata

21/07/2025

The Stolen Children of Aotearoa now on TVNZ+

08/07/2025

📍 Auckland – Bridgeway Cinema, The Capitol
🕖 Sunday 13 July, 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM
📍 Wellington – The Roxy
🕐 Sunday 16 July, 8:15 PM
📍 Christchurch – Lumière Cinemas
🕐 Sunday 18 July, 8:15 PM
We'd love to see you and your whānau there.
Grab your tickets: Link in bio or https://docedge.nz/events/mana-moana-mana-tangata/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkPTE2BOQzk

A gripping feature length documentary chronicling Māori in a defiant struggle against systematic racism and colonial injustice to reclaim their fishing right...

30/06/2025

Behind the Brush - Seasons 1 & 2 are now streaming on YouTube!

Step into the world behind Gottfried Lindauer’s iconic portraits of Māori. This powerful docuseries brings the painted ancestors to life - sharing the stories, whakapapa, and mana of the tūpuna who sat for the artist over a century ago.

Created with the funding from Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air

Watch now! Link to our YouTube in the bio

31/05/2025

From the bounty of the sea, we sustain our future generations.

A gripping film chronicling Māori in a defiant struggle against systemic racism and colonial injustice to reclaim their fishing rights. Through resilience and legal strategy, they secured their place in the industry, marking a landmark victory for Indigenous sovereignty. Thirty years later, the fight for equity and environmental stewardship continues.

A universal story of justice and perseverance, the film captures both triumph and ongoing struggle, revealing how Indigenous communities worldwide navigate power, reclaim their culture, and resist colonisation.

Directed by Sonny Arahanga and Toby Mills.
Screening Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and virtually at Doc Edge festival.

Get your tickets here:

In this compelling film, the battle to save Māori fishing rights unfolds as a powerful tale of resilience and determination. 

24/04/2025

Our editor and good human Danny Mulholland aka Edmund Skillary suggested we put these films on YouTube for all to see. They are a collection of ANZAC films we've made for NZ television that centre around stories of individuals caught in the ugly world of war.

06/04/2025

🎧 The Stolen Children of Aotearoa — a powerful new podcast airs TOMORROW on RNZ.

Investigative journalist Aaron Smale and filmmaker Julian Arahanga dive deep into the untold stories of Māori survivors who faced abuse in state care. This gripping series traces the trauma that continues to haunt many, and uncovers the generational impact of an unjust system.

Tune in to hear the voices of those who lived through it, as they demand justice and raise awareness for a chapter in Aotearoa's history that must never be forgotten.

🔗 Listen now: https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/the-stolen-children-of-aotearoa

Made with the support of NZ On Air, Te Māngai Pāho, and created in partnership with Māori TV.

31/03/2025

The Stolen Children of Aotearoa TELEVISION PREMIERE tonight at 8:30pm on maoriplus.co.nz