Maoris to Fight In Big Picture

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 340, 28 April 1928, Page 32

Maoris to Fight In Big Picture

WAR CANOES TO ATTACK 1,000 NATIVES IN ACTION

Mr. Alexander Markey, representing Universal Films Corporation, is at present visiting the Bay of Plenty with the object of making a picture dealing with the life of the Maori before the advent of the pakeha. He has interviewed Archdeacon Williams and others who have considerable knowledge of Maori life and gathered much information on the subject. His intention being to make a picture that will be flawless in detail.

Some parts of this picture have already been shot at White Island, Rotorua, and Whakatane under the direction of Mr. Markey.

An old-time fighting pa is being constructed at Ohiwa, situated about 10 miles from Opotiki borough, on a spur where a pa used to stand, overlooking the harbour. A great battle scene is to be enacted at this pa. An attack will he made on the pa from the water in 60 canoes obtained from all parts of New Zealand, and reconditioned in ancient style. Watch-towers, palisades, and a system of trenches are to be constructed on an adjacent flat. Peaceful scenes of the life of the Maori will also be depicted. Thirty men, supervised by Mr. Edward Biddle, are now engaged in the construction of the fortifications. It is estimated there will be an assemblage of nearly a thousand Maoris at Ohiwa within the next three weeks.