Eddie Page Productions & Mana Hira Davis have joined forces to bring you the short film, Pākehā. Pākehā is a short story inspired by the true life events of writer/director Mana Hira Davis. The creation of this project will bring together the local Bay of Plenty creative community, rangatahi and mentors.
A young Pākehā mother’s determination to learn te reo Māori to connect her son with his whakapapa, exposes her struggles, resilience and courage to confront her personal demons.
Pākehā is set in 1982, Aotearoa New Zealand, a time when the country was undergoing significant cultural shifts. The world is richly textured with the sights and sounds of this era, blending Māori culture with the pervasive influence of Western society. The tone is both sombre and hopeful, capturing the raw realities of one woman’s domestic life while celebrating her strength and resilience to honour her son’s cultural identity.
The film explores themes of cultural reconciliation, mental health, and the power of aroha in overcoming obstacles.
Mana Hira Davis was inspired to tell this story after watching indigenous short films at the Rotorua Film Festival in 2023. The film is both a tribute to his mother’s courage and an homage to te reo Māori’s resurgence in the 1980s.
A talented cast and crew bring Pākehā to life, with support from the Bay of Plenty’s creative community, including rangatahi interns gaining hands-on experience in filmmaking. Local sponsors and the Western Bay of Plenty Creative Communities Scheme have already contributed, but additional funding is essential to complete this project.
With a first funding goal of $8,000, the campaign aims to cover cast and crew costs, rangatahi intern stipends, catering, and essential production expenses. A stretch goal of $13,000 will enable professional post-production work and support the film’s entry into national and international festivals.
Every donation counts, and contributions come with a special thanks in the film’s credits. For Aotearoa New Zealand donors, donations are eligible for a 33% tax credit. If donating isn’t possible, sharing the campaign is a big help.
Help bring Pākehā to life and support a story that celebrates cultural connection, resilience, and healing.
