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In Historic Dual Premiere, Moana 2 Reo Māori Takes Over Aotearoa Cinemas

The reo Māori version of Moana 2 has made its debut in Aotearoa cinemas, marking a significant milestone in the film’s journey. The event was met with great excitement and anticipation from fans and critics alike.

A Collective Vision to Inspire Rangatahi to Dream Big

The cast and creative team of Moana 2 reo Māori shared a collective vision: to inspire the next generation to dream big, embrace their reo, and see limitless possibilities for their futures. They hoped that the film would show tamariki Māori “how cool they are, how cool te reo Māori is, [and] how cool being Māori is,” according to Jaedyn Randell.

Moana 2 Reo Māori’s director, Tweedie Waititi, echoed this sentiment. He imagined a world where te reo Māori was an everyday reality for young people and urged them to “whakamāori the world. If it’s not in Māori, then translate it. If it’s not in Māori, reimagine it.”

Temuera Morrison also encouraged rangatahi to “get on our waka” and pursue their aspirations. He reminded them that Moana is a symbol of tenacity and boldness, qualities that young people need to succeed.

A Message from the Cast

Jaedyn Randell shared her hopes for the film’s impact: “No dream is too big. No dream is too crazy. If you work hard enough… you’ll realise what you’re capable of.” Temuera Morrison urged young girls especially to chase their dreams, saying that being Māori is cool and that they should be proud of it.

Moana 2 Reo Māori’s music co-director and music translator Pere Wihongi emphasized the importance of including te reo in storytelling. He stated, “This is the bare minimum of what needs to happen when people are including our stories, when people are including our language.”

A Standard for Inclusion

Pere Wihongi also acknowledged that the film’s release was a significant step towards creating a standard for inclusion. He hoped that rangatahi watching the film would feel empowered to tell their own stories.

The event came at a time when discussions about Māori rights were dominating headlines, particularly over Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Wihongi said that the premiere was one of those pivots where iwi Māori could show their people that there are other huarahi (paths) to take.

A Call to Action

The cast and creative team of Moana 2 reo Māori urged young people to get on board with their aspirations. They encouraged them to work hard, be bold, and never give up on their dreams.

Moana 2 Reo Māori opens nationally in Aotearoa cinemas from November 28.