Auckland, New Zealand Tuesday, 27th January 2025. STUDIOCANAL New Zealand in association with Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) are delighted to reveal the trailer and poster for KŌKĀ, a feature film bought to life from a tribal story – it is the first feature film shot in the original dialect of Ngāti Porou – coming to cinemas 19th June 2025.
KŌKĀ is a powerful relationship drama following Māori elder Hamo (Hinetu Dell) and local delinquent Jo (Darneen Christian) who form an unlikely bond on a road trip in a Ford Falcon. Together they confront past traumas and each face their demons, their shared path becomes a journey of healing, community, and reconciliation.
KŌKĀ is the debut feature film written and directed by Kath Akuhata-Brown (Ngāti Porou) who comments, “I wanted to make a film that puts a Māori world view front and centre of the screen. It’s a road trip about an elder who feels it’s time to go home, but getting home isn’t going to be easy for her. Akuhata-Brown invites audiences to experience KŌKĀ “as a journey of dignity, heart and of mana in the face of a landscape that is constantly shifting.”
Shot on location across the South Island, through Wellington and the East Cape of the North Island. KŌKĀ is bought to life by the two outstanding performances of female leads Hinetu Dell (Ngāti Porou) and Darneen Christian (Māori /Pitcairn Islander) – “Mauria mai o Kuia, o Kaumatua me o Mokopuna kia kite i a Kōkā” Hinetu openly encouraging grandparents, elders and grandchildren to experience KŌKĀ first hand.
STUDIOCANAL, as a global leader in producing and distributing content for worldwide audiences, continues its commitment to tell unique local stories like KŌKĀ. Nigel Forsyth, General Manager Sales & Acquisitions for STUDIOCANAL NZ says, “STUDIOCANAL are excited to be working with the visionary team behind KŌKĀ – a deeply moving and emotionally charged spiritual journey that explores the importance of intergenerational relationships and how powerful simple acts of kindness can be. KŌKĀ is a film that will resonate deeply with people across the motu, it is a privilege for our team to bring this film to Aotearoa screens.”
KŌKĀ was funded by the New Zealand Film Commission’s He Pounamu Te Reo Māori Feature Film Fund Initiative supporting feature films with Te Reo Māori, it will be distributed by STUDIOCANAL through Australia and New Zealand.
KŌKĀ will be released June 19th – Matariki Weekend, 2025
