Community Movie Day – The past is so important for the future!
Last week we gathered as a community to watch a powerful and thought-provoking documentary about the Haka Day Incident. Around 30 whānau members joined us for the screening, coming together to reflect on the resilience, challenges, and unity of our people. It was more than just a movie—it was an opportunity to learn, to kōrero, and to draw strength from the stories of those who came before us.
The film left us all deeply moved. There was a sense of shared understanding in the room, a recognition of the struggles and injustices faced by our tūpuna and the importance of standing strong in our identity as Māori. For some, it was an eye-opener; for others, it reaffirmed the importance of holding onto our tikanga, our reo, and our whakapapa. After the movie, the discussion flowed naturally, with many sharing their personal connections to the themes of the documentary and how it relates to our experiences today.
The documentary tells the story of a pivotal moment in Māori history—one that exposed the deep racial injustices embedded in the education system. It recounts how a group of Māori students were punished for performing haka, an act of cultural pride and identity, and how this event sparked conversations about systemic racism, identity, and the power of resistance.
Key themes explored in the documentary include:
Cultural Suppression – The historical efforts to erase Māori identity in schools and the wider education system.
Resilience and Protest – How rangatahi and whānau stood up for their right to express their culture and be unapologetically Māori.
Institutional Racism – The way in which policies and attitudes in education marginalized Māori students and how this continues to affect our tamariki today.
The Power of Haka – More than just a performance, haka is a form of resistance, identity, and unification for our people.
Healing and Moving Forward – The importance of acknowledging past injustices while creating a future where Māori voices are heard and valued.
Watching this documentary reminded us that the struggles faced in the past are still relevant today. We see it in our schools, in the way our tamariki navigate their identity, and in the ongoing fight for equal opportunities and cultural respect. It reinforced the importance of ensuring our rangatahi feel proud of who they are and have the support they need to succeed.
The film also inspired conversations about what we can do as a community to continue advocating for our tamariki and ensuring they grow up in spaces where their culture is celebrated, not silenced. It encouraged us to keep pushing for kaupapa that uplift our people, to educate our young ones about their history, and to challenge systems that do not serve our whānau well.
Overall, the movie day was a success, not just because of the film itself but because of the connections it strengthened within our community. It was a reminder that together, we are strong, and that through our stories, our history, and our haka, we will continue to stand tall.