Decolonizing the Screen: A Critical Analysis of Māori Voices and Perspectives in Contemporary New Zealand Cinema
Sigrid Isabella Eckert
This dissertation examines the representation of Māori culture and identity in New Zealand cinema through a comparative analysis of four significant films: Once Were Warriors (1994), What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (1999), The Piano (1993), and Whale Rider (2002). Historically, New Zealand cinema has marginalized Māori perspectives, portraying Māori characters through stereotypical, colonialist tropes. However, the Māori Renaissance of the 1970s marked a shift toward Māori reclaiming control over their own narratives, in media and especially in film. Using a framework of postcolonial and cultural studies, this study investigates how both Māori and non-Māori filmmakers portray Māori identity in their works, looking at potential challenges to, and reinforcements of, stereotypes.
A central objective is to analyze the narrative and aesthetic strategies used by filmmakers from both inside and outside the Māori community to represent “typical” Māori culture. Through reception-aesthetic film analysis, this thesis considers the cultural, social, and historical contexts influence both the filmmaking process and audience interpretation. This is especially important because it shows how these portrayals impact the understanding of Māori identity and nationhood. Furthermore, particular attention is given to the construction and deconstruction of stereotypes, as well as gender dynamics and symbolism within each film, especially the contrasting representations of cultural authenticity.
This research contributes to discussions on biculturalism, national identity, and the influence of cinema on cultural identity, positioning New Zealand films as a critical lens through which the struggles, resilience, and the evolving nationhood of Māori people are both reflected and redefined. Through this analysis, the dissertation tries to highlight the role of contemporary cinema in developing a differentiated, decolonized understanding of Māori culture and identity in New Zealand.