![](/media/filmstills/2012/generation/20123472_1_RWD_1380.jpg)
Ngaa Rauuira Pumanawawhiti
Maori Boy Genius by Pietra Brettkelly
NZL 2011, Generation
![](/media/filmstills/2012/generation/20123472_2_RWD_1380.jpg)
Ngaa Rauuira Pumanawawhiti
Maori Boy Genius by Pietra Brettkelly
NZL 2011, Generation
![](/media/filmstills/2012/generation/20123472_3_RWD_1380.jpg)
Pietra Brettkelly
Maori Boy Genius by Pietra Brettkelly
NZL 2011, Generation
Ngaa Rauuira is a chosen one. At an early age he was able to impress the elders with his intelligence and his affinity for his ancestors’ culture. Having been taken in and raised by his grandparents, who never learned the language of the Maori, no sooner does Ngaa Rauuira become a teenager than he decides to fight for the rights of New Zealand’s indigenous population. Single-mindedly yet instinctively, he sets about acquiring the necessary tools for his quest.
This documentary follows its youthful protagonist to Yale where he is preparing to study politics, philosophy and law. Although he is still too young to become a parliamentarian, Ngaa Rauuira is already treated as a beacon of hope by his people who have every confidence that he will one day become New Zealand’s prime minister. Director Pietra Brettkelly demonstrates how closely her protagonist is embedded in his people’s ancient culture – a culture that is in turn informed by a deep-seated spiritual connection to nature. The viewer gains a sense of the power of this spirituality when Ngaa Rauuria performs the ritualistic Maori war dance known as ‘haka’.
This documentary follows its youthful protagonist to Yale where he is preparing to study politics, philosophy and law. Although he is still too young to become a parliamentarian, Ngaa Rauuira is already treated as a beacon of hope by his people who have every confidence that he will one day become New Zealand’s prime minister. Director Pietra Brettkelly demonstrates how closely her protagonist is embedded in his people’s ancient culture – a culture that is in turn informed by a deep-seated spiritual connection to nature. The viewer gains a sense of the power of this spirituality when Ngaa Rauuria performs the ritualistic Maori war dance known as ‘haka’.
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Additional information
![](/media/bilder/2012/boulevard/13_02_12/130212_mk_06516_ORG.jpg)
Ngaa Rauuira Pumanawawhiti, Maryanne Redpath, Pietra Brettkelly
Ngaa Rauuira fights for the rights of New Zealand’s indigenous population. Here one can see him with the section director and the director of the documentary film.
Maori Boy Genius · Generation · Feb 13, 2012