Whina

What’s it about?

Whina is a biopic that follows the life of Dame Whina Cooper.

Dame Whina broke gender boundaries and worked hard fighting for Māori rights, especially rights for Māori women. Guided by the impact of inequality and justice, she became an inspiration for all living in Aotearoa. She is acknowledged as Te Whaea o te Motu – the Mother of the Nation.

The film includes strong themes of racism, inequality and loss, as well as the power of activism.

The facts

• Directed by James Napier Robertson and Paula Whetu Jones
• Māori and English language
• Runtime: 112 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film was rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Violence

With a PG that has a content warning for violence, you can expect fleeting violence as a minor part of the story. It should make sense to children and there should be no or limited depictions of blood.

Further information

Movie review: Dame Whina Cooper biopic worth marching to the cinema for

Review: Whina Cooper biopic is long overdue

Te Ara – Encyclopedia of New Zealand: Biography of Whina Cooper

Article in the Northern Advocate: "Māori land march – 40 years on"