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Ancient Māori heroes of yesteryear, re-discovered, re-examined and re-imagined.
2016
Tunohopu, a Kairākau from Ngāti Whakaue, falls into a deadly feud between two opposing warlords. Tunohopu is caught in the crossfire when his village is ransacked in the middle of the night, but escapes with his family into a cave. As they plan their survival, they realise one of their sons has been left behind. This episode explores the lengths a warrior will go to in order to recover those he loves.
Te Matapihi o Rehua, a famous Kairākau of Ngāti Whakaue, is called on to defend his village in single combat against a dangerous rival. But when he realises that his nemesis is a childhood friend, Te Matapihi o Rehua forgoes combat, leaving his younger brother to take his place. This episode explores the bonds between brothers and brotherhood.
This is a story of a son, Herea of Tuwharetoa, who is forever trying to escape his father's shadow, even after his death. As Herea forges a pathway beyond the memory of his father, he comes to realise that his journey is in fact pre-ordained by his father. Herea opens old wounds, finding truth and meaning and demonstrating the difference between a warrior and a Kairākau.
Mawaketaupo has a secret, the kawa of Tau-ma-ihi-o-rongo. He also has a son who feels he is ready to learn that secret. But Manaia has yet to realise that what is barring his way to learning the secret is his own ambition. Only when Manaia faces the man staring back at him, will he be ready to truly receive, and come to the realisation that only when you face yourself, can you know yourself, and become who you were born to be.
Sometimes, in order to protect a vast area, one must become more than a man. This is an origin story of Haukeka, a dark lone wolf type figure from Ngāti Pikiao associated with acts of cannibalism, who cast a large shadow in order to protect his tribal domain. This episode explores the origins and the depths of the power of Haukeka, guardian of Ngāti Pikiao.
Takurua, a young Kairākau from Ngati Taka - Te Piri Rakau, wants nothing more than to join the rest of his men on a fishing expedition. Being a little big and a little slow, he is left home to protect the Pa and its elderly occupants. This episode explores the idea that a warrior can take any shape or size, as can his weapon.
Part 1 of 2: Poupoutahi is the orthodox position of all Toa, as it affords the greatest amount of body coverage and protection. A Kairākau from Ngati Kahungunu, Te-O-Tane, developed the low guard and used it to great effect as he moved up the ranks. We follow Te-O-Tane as he overcomes betrayal and reaches the heights of a Kairākau.
Part 2 of 2: Te-O-Tane with the help of Rekareka, having disposed of Takapuai, is called on by the old warlord, Tapuwae for service. A matter of vengeance remains unresolved - that of Te Huki - a diplomatic chief who died treacherously at the hands of another iwi.
We go behind the scenes and hear from the cast and crew of Kairākau.
2022
Early 20th Century Aotearoa, land and resources are scarce. To secure peace for his tribe, Ngāti Awa Chief Te Ramaapakura anticipates an impending invasion by issuing a challenge to his enemy.
An unwelcome stranger crosses a tribal boundary forcing Ngāti Rangitihi Chief Tionga to react with caution to a possible alliance between bordering tribes.
Uncertainty prevails after a failed attempt on Chief Te Ramaapakura’s life. Ruamahu settles into life with Te Ao and is overwhelmed when she receives an unearthly gift.
A grief stricken Te Ramaapakura ventures into unknown territory. Tionga faces the loss of one of his own while Te Purewa waits for the signal of war from Te Rehu o Tainui.
Te Purewa declares war while Ruamahu is consumed by revenge. Te Huru’s loyalty is questioned and Tionga is lured into a trap.
Ruamahu settles the score as the battle at Pukekaikāhu erupts. Mokonuiārangi must choose between securing peace for his people or all out war.
2023
It's the early 1820s, The northern tribes have muskets from the white man. They begin to invade other tribes and eventually, one of them Hauraki, arrives in Te Arawa. The sacred portal Te Roto a Tara falls from the hands of chief Pareihe.
Ngāpuhi decimate Te Arawa at Mokoia Island. Te Aokapurangi, the sacred female, saves her people of Ngāti Rangiwewehi. Te Kuru o Te Marama, son of Te Arawa chief Mokonuiārangi, is tortured to death.
Whareumu leads Te Wera Hauraki and his warriors to his tribe of Kahungunu. Te Heuheu marches further into Kahungunu killing Te Hauwaho. The alliance of Taiamai and Mahia hangs together.
Whareumu and Tahu return to their home village, from where they were taken by Hauraki. Te Heuheu of Tūwharetoa lays siege to the pā to starve them out. Te Arawa chief Mokonuiārangi taunts Hauraki over the massacre at Mokoia. The besieged people eat mud to survive.
The war between Pareihe of Kahungunu and Te Heuheu of Tūwharetoa rages on for many years. Pareihe, fully armed with muskets, attacks and captures Te Heuheu at his stronghold in heartland Tūwharetoa. Te Heuheu, a seer, forsees his own death in a landslide. He makes peace with Pareihe, cementing it with marriage to a mokopuna.
Pareihe, Te Hapuku and Tiakitai have built an army and, with revenge on their minds, they return to Te Roto-a-Tara. Hihiko and Tarakawa’s kinship is threatened.
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2024
When her father’s people turn on their chief and his entire family, Te Ataakura must run for her life, leaving behind all she’s known to give birth to her only hope, a son to seek utu: Tūwhakairiora.
Born and raised to seek revenge and reclaim his birthright, Tūwhakairiora grows into a ruthless lone wolf. But given his enemy’s rise, he will need allies – fast – as he embarks on his life’s mission.
Marriage to Ruataupare comes at a price: Tūwhakairiora finds himself caught in a political dog fight, as a spy reports his every move to his ever more powerful enemy.
Tūwhakairiora sets out to eliminate all who don’t support him – only to be offered the chance to save someone he once thought dead. But doing so means risking it all.
On the eve of the deciding battle, Tūwhakairiora is caught up in unexpected mind games with an enemy that’s never been stronger, and a last minute side mission ends badly.
The climactic battle begins – Tūwhakairiora takes on his deceitful enemy, encounters betrayal, heartbreak, and an ominous new foe he knows all too well.
