FILM BASED ON THE MAORI WARS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 208, 18 September 1937, Page 8

FILM BASED ON THE MAORI WARS

It is announced that ® film is to be made at Te Awamutu on thq subject of tke Battle of Orakau, an eyent of historical interest to New Zealand. Mr R>. C. Hayward, who kas been respon-

sible for several Dominion-mado films, last year signed a contract with tho newly-formed Erontier Films, Limited, for tke production of the picture. whieh will be made in co-operation with tho Te Awamutu Historical Society and with tlie support of the Government. Assistanee will be given by the Defence Department and rifles and other historical material had been offered on loan by the Dominion Museuxn, Wcllingfton, so there will be accura cy in the Weapons used. The battle scene will be enacted at a Maori iia about 20 niiles from To Awamutu. The pa, which is called Aotea lioa, , was originally inhabited by i tlie tribe which to'ok" part in the action j and the ancient. meeting . house . has j caiwings left unfinished by tlie carvers killed in tbe battle. • The part of the chief llewi Maniapoto will be played by a. direct descendant and descendants will also take the parts of other famous Maori characters including Raureti, Te Huia and Tupo- • tahi the engineer, . wh'ose . earthworks were the wonder of the Britisk offieers. ■ Mr Stanley Kliight," who has previously. appeared in a .Dominion-made film, will be .prominent in the cast. Much of the material for tke scenario

has been taken from eontemporary descriptions of the> action, including lefcters sent from the scene of the battle to the early Auckland newspaper, Southern Cross,