Ngāriki Ngatae

I am Māori ki Moananui-O-Kiva (Pacific Ocean) with connections to Ngāti Uri, Ngāti Ārera (Rarotonga), Ngāti Rupe (Aitutaki) and Ngāti ‘Akatauira (Mitiaro) a writer-director and indigenous storyteller currently based in Aotearoa-New Zealand. One of my short documentaries, Te Wao Nui, explores kaitiakitanga (indigenous stewardship) and the indigenous relationship to the natural world and screened across 11 international film festivals. I have voyaged at sea for six months on a traditional Polynesian double-hulled canoe and constantly draw upon my Polynesian Māori and mixed whakapapa for inspiration. I’m heavily influenced by the narratives, ceremonies, healing, rituals and connections to spirit that are born from my indigenous roots.