Māoriland Film Festival

Set up initially to boost the local advancement of the Ōtaki community through connection to the wider world of Indigenous creativity and innovation, it is now an extended festival throughout the Wellington region.

[2] Since then it has grown to be the largest presenter of Indigenous screen content in the Southern Hemisphere,[3] with a year-round programme of events that include industry-focussed events, emerging technology (VR/AR/XR), a lecture series, NATIVE Minds, sound and stage performances, a full visual arts programme and Toi Matarau.

A Mr Frank Moore visited on their behalf and suggested Ōtaki as a suitable place to establish a studio because of the town’s varied scenery and "potent actinic rays" (white light).

She is passionate about local and Indigenous storytelling, and using contemporary tools to reach wider audiences.

[5] Taika Waititi was one of the first film-makers to present a keynote address at the 2014 festival and is supportive of the principles saying in his Oscar Best Adapted Screenplay acceptance speech for Jojo Rabbit: "I dedicate this to all the indigenous kids in the world who want to do art and dance and write stories; we are the original storytellers and we can make it here, as well".