Lau Yuet Seen
It was September 1938 when Lau Yuet Seen received word from her husband to leave Fah Dei for Hong Kong as soon as possible. The Japanese troops were close to landing north of Hong Kong.
Episode 1
22m
22m
Seven stories of love, humility, and sacrifice. An intergenerational celebration of women from our Chinese New Zealand community.
Made with the support of NZ On Air
7 episodes
Ou Choi Ping
Ou Shee and her family survive the Canton Operation in southern China and leave for New Zealand in the hope of attaining permanent residency.
Episode 2
22m
Liu Boo Lung
During the Japanese invasion, Liu Boo Lung fled Sun Wui with her daughter, Gin (5), her mother-in-law, Chan Shee, and her brother-in-law, Wong Fong Sue (15), to New Zealand.
Episode 3
23m
Chao Hop Juk
"[In 1938] the Japanese invaders began to move south. The approaching invasion meant everyone's lives were in jeopardy. There was anxiety and fear in the village."
Episode 4
21m
Ho Yuke So
"Unable to speak English, [Ho Yuke So] worked in the shop, served the customers, and brought us all up. Mum used to knit and sew clothes for us."
Episode 5
20m
Fong Toy Gee
"[Fong She] had many conversations with people whose lives seemed more troubled than hers. They probably talked about the same things over and over again, but she was very patient and just listened."
Episode 6
22m
Shew Shee
When the Japanese invaded Chung Shan County, Shew Shee and daughter Rita (Ho Bik Wun), age 11, fled for their lives. They made it to Hong Kong, where they boarded a boat headed for New Zealand.
Episode 7
26m
Trailers & bonus video
Trailer
Seven stories of love, humility, and sacrifice. An intergenerational celebration of women from our Chinese New Zealand community.
1m
Produced by
Tawera Productions
Made with the support of
More like this
Back to Timor
Back to Timor follows the journey of four Kiwi military veterans who return to East Timor 25 years after serving as peacekeepers there. The big question for them: did they make a difference?43mFull Concert
Toiere (meaning to sing) unites beloved operatic arias, duets, and ensembles in their original languages and te reo Māori, celebrating voice, language, and identity while honouring Aotearoa New Zealand's rich cultural landscape and opera's universal emotions. Experience the beauty, drama, and emotion of these operatic treasures reimagined through the lends of Aotearoa's rich cultural tapestry. Starring some of NZ's hottest operatic talent, including Kawiti Waetford, Robert Wiremu, Pānia Papa, Juan Kim, Katherine Winitana, Elisha Fa'i-So'oialo, Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, and Joel Amosa.1h 21mDocumentary
After Indira Gandhi's assassination, the 1984 Sikh Massacre unfolded, with thousands of Sikhs violently killed over three days. Many sought asylum. 1984 follows their journey to find home in Aotearoa after enormous tragedy.1h 4mDocumentary
This documentary looks at the results of Niue's constitution through the eyes of those who have stayed, those who left, those who returned—but most importantly for the survival of Niue, this will be for those to come...44mDocumentary
I Am a Dark River is a playful and experimental documentary focused on the story of New Zealand modernist printer and publisher Bob Lowry, through the eyes of his granddaughter Tess.1h 10mFly Like a Moa
Kauri isn't allowed to go rock-climbing with Lani. Kauri meets a moa and learns that everyone has different strengths.5mThe Rise and Fall
Isabella Moore’s career soared with body positivity, but fashion’s return to thinness now threatens everything she’s fought for as a Samoan-Kiwi curve model.10mDocumentary
Joy, Full & Fearless follows the trauma and triumph of Joy Cowley's astonishing life as New Zealand's prolific, widely published and celebrated author of children's fiction. Available in NZ, Australia and the Pacific Islands.56mPension Wars: The NZ Super Promise That Changed Politics
It's the third rail of New Zealand politics: Touch it and you die. From Richard Seddon's groundbreaking old-age pension, to Rob Muldoon's Dancing Cossacks to, Jim Bolger's "No ifs, no buts, no maybes" Corin and Guyon trace the history of New Zealand Superannuation.41mMelissa Chan-Green | Til Death
Content warning: discusses death and loss, and sexual assault. After his bride’s death just hours after their wedding, a devastated groom struggles to process his grief. Five years later, he turns to Melissa Chan-Green to tell his heart-wrenching story for the first time.57mFlight Night
Rumour has it that every Halloween, the tiny humans transform into hideous monsters—including something so unspeakably awful, even grown-ups have nightmares about it.5mA Dress and a Cardigan for Mele
In Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, Tongan grandmother Liliani and her daughter Kesaia find that even though they talk every day on the phone (and have for 17 years), they have more in common than they thought.3mCook's Legacy
The government has poured millions of dollars into commemorating Captain Cook's arrival, but why? Many Pākehā are unhappy with this celebration of colonisation, and demand we start taking responsibility.6mKareem
Originally from Egypt, Kareem shows us his absolute love of tennis as a way to connect with the community.2mEdward Osei-Nketia
At 19, Eddie Osei-Nketia is the fastest person in Australasia, and is looking to break the New Zealand 100m record.7mSimonne Butler
In 2003, Simonne Butler survived a horrific attack at the hands of her abusive partner. In this episode, Simonne shares her story and insights into how to identify and survive domestic abuse.9mJosh Davies
Josh has 15% vision in his good eye. City life with four senses sounds easy!7mFine Arts
We meet three fine artists whose work transcends gallery walls: sculptor Yona Lee, interdisciplinary artist Yuki Kihara, and painter Simon Kaan.22mRēwena Recipe - Bug, Bread, Beef Stew
In this deliciously down-to-earth episode of Whakamāori, the team roll up their sleeves and translate a recipe that's close to many Māori kitchens: how to grow a rēwena bug, bake the bread, and top if off with a simple, hearty beef stew. The panel—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Tamati Waaka—dive into the reo behind the process, building everyday confidence in kupu Māori related to cooking, food prep, and mātauranga kai. This episode is perfect for anyone wanting to learn how to make rēwena from scratch and deepen their reo in the kitchen while doing it.42mChinese
We meet the Chinese community in Dunedin and learn about one of Aotearoa’s most established migrant communities26mMisty Frequency
Drag icon Misty Frequency kaupapa is to celebrate autistic and Takatāpui excellence. They are looking to storm the stage at the Drag Wars competition with a cash prize up for grabs.8mShareef
Drugs, lies and regret became a reality for Shareef after an encounter with some local gang affiliates, but growing up in the North has shaped this proud takatāpui into who he is today.6mMaxime Gnojczak
Maxime Gnojczak -- head chef at Concord -- served cabbage-and-banana tamales, North African spiced lamb, and baked apples.15mKōtiro
Jess sits down with Māori-Jewish talent Ana Chaya Scotney to discuss her thrilling debut album, dawn ocean swimming, and how she creates her singular “high lonesome sound."15mEpisode 1
Clothing expression is important to Wairua. Mia connects with her culture by spending time away. Lavi talks about cultural expectations. Theia feels welcomed by her own and judged by others.21mTe Pāti Māori on their plan to change the govt and steady their waka
In an extended interview, co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi discuss their plan to change the government, their priority policies, and how they will steady their waka after one of the most turbulent periods in the party’s history.40mTe Hekenga
As the Native Land Court reshapes Aotearoa, Hector’s world unravels. Bound by whakapapa, he fights to protect his son’s future—while Māori sovereignty slips through Crown hands.21mBondi Babes
Soph's first flight to Sydney leads her to Bondi Beach post-accident, where sand and wheelchairs clash. With the help of lifeguards, she discovers how accessible the beach can be!14mMohi
Mohi Allen weaves smokey jazz, pop and te reo Māori together to create a unique and smooth sound, reminding us of decades past.9mOur Aotearoa
Our Aotearoa is an animated documentary that speaks to immigrants’ personal experiences living in Aotearoa, exploring themes of racism, discrimination, loss, loneliness, and maintaining cultural ties while living in another country.10mKāinga
Kāinga navigates the thorny terrain of home in Aotearoa New Zealand from the perspectives of 8 Pan-Asian women.1h 27mPart 1 (2024)
Ruamata captures the journey of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata's rise to the top of hockey in Aotearoa as they become the first Māori immersion school in a century to compete in the prestigious Rankin Cup.1h 0mKenneth Roth
Do Israel’s actions amount to genocide? Kenneth Roth has spent decades documenting human rights violations. He explains how genocide is defined—and whether it’s happening in Gaza. Plus, is Trump's power on the wane?32mGloss Finish
A person with sweaty hands searches for a dance partner who, like them, bears the clammy burden of a gloss finish.13mNot Her Destiny: Former church member asks, "Did I not deserve to be protected?"
For years, Destiny Church shaped every part of Lynia Morseu-Tol's life: her faith, her family, and her identity. As a takatāpui wahine Māori, its teachings left her feeling ashamed, conflicted, and alone—all while she endured years of abuse at home. 16 years after leaving the church, Lynia speaks out about its leaders, whom she believes failed to protect her, and condemns Ngāti Uenuku - Rainbow Community. This is Lynia's story of reckoning with faith, identity, and whānau.28mThe Political "Cost" - Tim Costley
In the final episode of Ngā Porokate, we head back to the ahi and sit down with National MP for Kāpiti, Tim Costley. Our kōrero dives into his whakaaro on the coalition government, the cost of living, co-governance, and whether he'll be standing again in the 2026 election. A straight-up, no-frills conversation on politics, perspectives, and the future direction of our communities.25mJames McKenzie
The outlaw who committed the most Kiwi of crimes: sheep-stealing. James McKenzie rustled hundreds of sheep and became such a legend that a large part of the South Island still bears his name.9mOverview
We dive into Te Tiriti o Waitangi—Aotearoa's founding document—and how it's shaped Aotearoa. Kara Rickards sits down with treaty experts, educators, and lawyers to delve deeper into the historical context.46mInspiration to Write
Nina Mingya Powles (writer & poet) grew up near Katherine Mansfield's Wellington home. KM ‘loomed’ over her childhood. Powles & graphic artist Sarah Laing make Mansfield a contemporary character.7mMamas Return to Play
Juggling new motherhood in often-isolated countries and continuing a sports career can have big pressures on Pasifika women.9mMain Feature
From visionary director Katie Wolfe comes an unflinching documentary of a forgotten history retold from every side.1h 28m
