In Development:
Te Puhi
04 September 2023
Feature Film
WRITER/DIRECTOR:
Cian Elyse-White
It’s 1962 and 17 year-old Te Arawa Princess from small town Rotorua, Te Puhi Johnson, has shocked the nation by being crowned the first Māori Miss New Zealand. After being prompted by her older sister, Hineruhi, to enter for the prize money, Puhi is thrust into the international limelight (during a time when it was unwarranted to speak practise, or even BE Māori). Te Puhi has qualified for the upcoming Miss Universe competition in California and gets ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime...
Developed with the support of the New Zealand Film Commission.
Estimated to shoot September 2026.