A flaxroots feature documentary brings Karioi to life through the connections and shared stories of those who call Karioi home — from hapū and long settled whānau to artists, retired trappers and the work of conservationists.
Premiering on Saturday, September 6, with an invite only red carpet event and community screenings on Sunday, September 7 at 11am and 3pm at the Stewart St Church Hall, Tirohia Karioi – Behold Karioi captures the deep and varied connections locals share with Karioi.
Inspired by the success of Oliver MacLeod’s book launch of ‘Geology of Karioi Volcano’ last year, the Toitū Whāingaroa team – Lisa Thomson, Lara Sweetman and Michelle Levy, with Gareth Bellamy on post production and music composition – have put in countless hours of work crafting the stories of people with deep connections to Karioi.
‘We saw how much interest was generated from Oliver’s book, particularly in the pūrākau (traditional Māori narratives) of Karioi and the hāpu perspectives,” Lisa says.
Circumnavigating the mountain, the team interviewed 17 people with significant ties to Karioi, including farming identities the Jackson family from Whaanga and Phillip Swann from Ruapuke, hapū representatives Angeline Greensill (Tainui o Tainui) and Taruke Thomson (Ngāti Whakamarurangi), and artists Simon Te Wheoro and Dallas Mihinui.
“We’ve been really lucky and privileged to have access to places that our community doesn’t and we’d like to think there are going to be some profound moments where people can grow their knowledge of Karioi and sense of reverence for it, while they watch the film,” Lisa says.
“We often think of Karioi from the Raglan side, but Karioi has so many faces, whakapapa, stories and deep connections for people and that’s what we really want to show in the film.”
The Toitū Whāingaroa team have spent the last couple of years strengthening community ties and cultural understanding through events and initiatives related to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori culture.
“We want to normalise conversations about our history and acknowledge there are differences in world views, while also those celebrating the similarities and differences,” Lara says. “This is kotahitanga in action – embracing and valuing diverse perspectives.”
Thanks to Raglan Naturally for helping bring Tirohia Karioi to life.
Community screenings are on Sunday, September 7 at 11am and 3pm. Entry by koha, no bookings necessary.
