High-profile film director Taika Waititi has been recognised "for taking Māori film to the universe and beyond" at the inaugural Māori Screen Awards in Auckland on Saturday night.
The mastermind behind critically acclaimed 2016 film Hunt For The Wilderpeople took out Te Pou Taioreore, the New Zealand Film Commission's 'Super Hero' accolade.
Waititi is currently directing Hollywood blockbuster Thor: Ragnarok, working with by far the biggest budget ever entrusted to a Māori director.
The awards ceremony was hosted by Māori screen production organisation Nga Aho Whakaari, to commemorate its "20 years of advocacy, professional development and capacity-building".
Among the night's other winners was film production company Cinco Cine, who took out the NZ On Air award for contribution to bringing in new talent on shows such as iconic Māori kids' show Pukana.
Fred Renata, who has been director of photography in a number of Māori films, including Mt Zion and Poi E: The Story of Our Song, claimed Te Pou Aweawe for "inspirational creativity on screen".
The accolade for contribution to Te Reo Māori and the development of the Māori screen industry was awarded to legendary broadcaster and former Māori TV chairman Derek Fox.
Sound recordist Dick Reade was recognised for his "unerring support and discerning ears", while producers Christina Milligan and director Kim Webby received an award for their "contribution to peace and aroha".
Scriptwriter and author Briar Grace-Smith was also acknowledged for her tenacity in bringing Māori stories to the screen with the Melissa Wikiaire Memorial Award.
The ceremony rounded off a two-day meeting at Waipapa Marae, which focused on the strategies behind the promotion of Te Reo Māori.
Newshub.
