Renowned Māori Filmmaker Lee Tamahori Passes Away at 75

Lee Tamahori, the renowned Māori filmmaker, has passed away at the age of 75. His influential work defined Māori storytelling and elevated New Zealand cinema on a global scale. A descendant of Ngāti Porou, Tamahori openly discussed his battle with Parkinson’s disease in recent months.

Significant Contributions to Film

Lee Tamahori was born in Wellington in 1950. He started his career in photography and advertising before transitioning to film. Tamahori gained valuable experience alongside respected directors, including Geoff Murphy, before making his feature film debut.

Breakthrough with ‘Once Were Warriors’

In 1994, Tamahori directed ‘Once Were Warriors,’ an adaptation of Alan Duff’s novel. This film presented a raw depiction of urban Māori life, highlighting issues such as intergenerational trauma and domestic violence. It became the highest-grossing New Zealand film at the time.

• Launched the careers of stars like Temuera Morrison, Rena Owen, and Cliff Curtis.
• Provoked debate over its portrayal of violence and colonization.
• Recognized as one of Aotearoa’s most significant cinematic works.

Reflecting on his work, Tamahori expressed the necessity of creating films that addressed the realities of Māori life. He stated, “We weren’t making films about our urban environment at all.”

International Success

Following the success of ‘Once Were Warriors,’ Tamahori built a notable international career. He directed films such as:

• ‘The Edge’ (1997) starring Anthony Hopkins
• ‘Along Came a Spider’ (2001)
• ‘Die Another Day’ (2002), the 20th James Bond film

Despite his Hollywood success, he continued to focus on Māori narratives. His recent films, ‘Mahana’ (2016) and ‘The Convert’ (2023), reflect his dedication to authentic Māori storytelling.

Legacy and Recognition

‘The Convert’ was nominated for six awards at the upcoming 2025 New Zealand Screen Awards. This recognition underscores Tamahori’s impact on the film industry and his commitment to showcasing Māori culture.

During his career, Tamahori stated, “Through film, you could see how another culture lived.” His contributions have provided valuable insights into Māori life. Tangihanga details are expected to be announced soon.

Kei te tohunga o te ao kiriata, moe mai rā i to moengaroa.