Tainui Stephens

Te Rarawa

Tainui Stephens is an independent film and television producer, director, executive producer, writer, narrator and presenter.

Tainui started his working life in 1980 as an investigating officer for New Zealand’s (then) Race Relations Conciliator, Hiwi Tauroa. He commenced his broadcasting career on contract to Television New Zealand in 1984. He has produced a wide variety of magazine, entertainment, event, community and documentary television. He is comfortable working in Maori and English, and develops screen storytelling formats for indigenous and mainstream audiences.

Programmes like KOHA (1984-87), TE KOHANGA REO (1986), WAKA HUIA (1987, 1999/2000), MARAE (1990-93), MAI TIME (1995-2000) WAITANGI KOTAHI TE RA (2007/2008) and ANZAC DAY: NA RATOU MO TATOU (2006 - 2008) have helped to give Maori stories and language a permanent television presence.

 As a writer and director he has made some memorable television documentaries: MAORI BATTALION MARCH TO VICTORY (1990) is the remarkable story of Maori volunteers fighting in World War Two. THE BLACK SINGLET LEGACY (1991) tells the history of M!ori in the meat industry. WHEN THE HAKA BECAME BOOGIE (1992) is the story of Maori prowess in the world of popular entertainment. THE UTTERLY CONFUSED PERSON’S GUIDE TO BI-CULTURALISM (1993) examines the dilemma and joy of mixed marriage. ICON IN B MINOR (1996) is a musical odyssey with concert pianist Michael Houstoun and the music of Franz Liszt. THE NEW ZEALAND WARS (1998) with James Belich is a critically acclaimed telling of the country’s civil wars of the 19th century. HE WHARE KORERO (2004) celebrates the Maori language with linguist Timoti K!retu. BUB & NEN (2007) is a love story between two cultural icons. LET MY WHAKAPAPA SPEAK (2008) profiles Iritana Tawhiwhirangi and the revival of the Maori language through pre-school education.

 Tainui has brought Maori television stories to international audiences with documentary series co-productions like STORYTELLERS OF THE PACIFIC (TV Ontario/ABC, 1993) and FAMILY (Film Australia, 1995).

 In the world of film, RERE KI UTA, RERE KI TAI (1986) was his first documentary as a director. His first dramatic short film was THE HILL (2002). It was selected for competition in the Sundance and Berlin festivals. He was co-producer for the Vincent Ward feature film RIVER QUEEN (2005), and a producer for Ward’s RAIN OF THE CHILDREN (2008).

 His company Pito One Productions is based in the Waikato town of Ngaruawahia. Current projects include a four part documentary series TAUMATA, and a telefeature script SHADES OF GREY. He is also an executive producer for various film and television projects. He is the Maori advisor to New Zealand’s principal television funding agency, New Zealand On Air. He is in his second term as a board member of the New Zealand Film Commission. He is an occasional lecturer, writer and commentator on social and cultural issues.