The Māoriland Hub in Ōtaki was alive with creativity, pride and excitement as rangatahi gathered to celebrate their stories at the Ka Rere te Manu Rangatahi Film Awards 2026.
Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu.
Adorn the bird with feathers so it may soar.
E Tū Whānau rangatahi filmmaking workshops, run by Māorilands, have supported hundreds of rangatahi to grow their confidence, strengthen their identity and explore creative pathways for their future.
They’ve also given young people the “feathers” they need to fly creatively as Indigenous story tellers, while opening cultural, personal and employment pathways.
While all films made are celebrated at the end of the workshops, the strongest were recently enjoyed by crowds of enthusiastic rangatahi at the recent Ka Rere te manu Rangatahi Film Awards.
For many in the audience, the films reflected their own stories, aspirations and interests.
“My highlight was seeing the award winners speak to what drives them in making films, who inspires them and the scale they’re aiming to reach. So freaking epic.”
Waitahi Aniwaniwa McGee, Māoriland Kaimahi
Ka Rere te Manu Rangatahi Film Awards 2026 winners
The 2026 awards celebrated the creativity, talent and leadership of rangatahi storytellers from across Aotearoa.
Top honours included:
- Te Ihorei – Rangatahi Filmmaker of the Year, Kepas Pala for Tides
- Te Kaitohutohu Toa – Best Director, Lina Valu for Final Day
- Māire Raunui – Rangatahi Leader, Lila Porteners
Several other films stood out at the Ka Rere te Manu Rangatahi Film Awards 2026, with Final Day recognised for Wai Ora – Best Use of Theme as well as Kotahitanga Award – Best Ensemble, highlighting the strength of collaboration and storytelling across the rōpū.
Other award categories recognised excellence in:
- Te Ahi Kā Teina – Best Performance Under 14, Waiata Estrata Y Santiago; Under 18 – Joy O’Dwyer.
- Te Tino Whakaataata – Best Drama, The Missing Fourth, and Pakipūmeka Mātua – Best Documentary, Māoritanga.
Together, the awards reflected the depth of talent emerging through the E Tū Whānau filmmaking workshops, and the powerful stories rangatahi are telling about who they are and the worlds they live in.
Filmmaking that opens doors to the future
E Tū Whānau rangatahi filmmaking workshops are run across the Te Ika a Maui – The North Island, by Ngā Pakiaka, the Māorilands rangatahi leadership rōpū.
Translating as the “the roots”, Ngā Pakiaka is shaped by Te Uru Maire – the Māoriland Rangatahi Strategy. It aims to grow confident rangatahi Māori storytellers, creatives and leaders who are grounded in te ao Māori and connected to global Indigenous networks. The strategy is also integrated with industry pathways into high-value creative work.
During the E tū Whānau filmmaking workshops, within which rangatahi can collectively and safely connect, learn and grow, they work tuakana-teina style to write, craft and produce short films based on any of the six E Tū Whānau values.
Alongside strengthening connections te ao Māori, the workshops aim to empower rangatahi with life choices. Many of those attending live in communities with limited economic prospects, and the workshops equip them with skills that can – and do – lead to employment and other opportunities.
“[In the workshop], I acquired more knowledge of the filmmaking industry … I got really invested when I first signed up then later on, it became an interest of mine.”
Charlie Cutler, Te Ahi Kā Tuakana – Highly Recommended Performance Under 18
The workshops also spark and incubate creativity, helping rangatahi Māori learn more about themselves and the passions they hold inside.
“What you create through film is powerful. A camera isn’t just a camera – it becomes a way to tell the world who you are, who we are. It becomes a way to speak on the struggles our communities face, the dreams we carry, the pain we’ve survived, and the future we want to build.”
E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Advisor, Shaneece Brunning, speaking during the award ceremony at Ka Rere te Manu Rangatahi Film Awards 2026.
