21 Dec 2022

Documentary follows four whānau over 22 years

From Nine To Noon, 11:20 am on 21 December 2022
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Whānau Banner Photo: Tūmanako Productions

A documentary project has been following the lives of four Maori children since they were born in 2000.

The Whānau documentary series first broadcast 22 years ago when the four babies were born.

It revisited them at ages seven and 14, and now the latest installment meets the cohort as they turn 21. 

Whānau is the brain-child of veteran TV producer Kay Ellmers, who was fed-up with the negative representation of Maori young people in mainstream media.

She speaks to Kathryn along with one of the rangitahi featured in the series - Pianika Ormsby (Ngāti Ranginui,Ngāpuhi, Ngati Kahungunu).