Winner of the Qantas Media Awards 2008
Best Maori Language Programme for 'Children of the Revolution'
CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION directed by Makerita Urale and produced by Claudette Hauiti, explores the unique lives of five children born to leaders of the Protest Movement in New Zealand, key figures who helped to shape the consciousness and socio-political landscape of Aotearoa during the 70’s and 80’s.
Broadcast on MAORI Television 8.30 Wednesday 2nd April, 2008
Toi Iti the son of Tuhoe activist Tame Iti, brought up by his Pakeha mother and alienated from his Maori culture; Te Whenua Harawira born during the 1978 Bastion Point occupation and whose name bears the legacy of that struggle - and later helping her parents Hone and Hilda Harawira organize and lead the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed March; hip hop artist Che Fu, son of Polynesian Panthers founding member Tigilau Ness who retaliated against the government’s infamous Overstayers and Dawn Raids against Pacific Islanders in the 70’s; Katie Azania Bradford who marched at 6-years old on the 1988 Unemployment March organized and led by her mother Sue Bradford; and 16-year Joseph who wasn’t born when his father John Minto the national organiser of HART (halt all racist tours) became ‘the most hated man in New Zealand’ during the 1981 Springbok Tour. These children had very different lives from other kids, but to them, it was just ‘normal.’“Our idea of a family picnic was camping with hundreds of other protesters at Orewa. We never went to the beach just to sunbathe and laze around. Going on a picnic meant going to an occupation,” says Te Whenua.
“Mum and dad still went off to work and came home everyday,” says Katie, before adding, “ Well, yes, mum and dad did go to jail sometimes! That was a bit different from other kids.”
Most of the children were picked on because their activist parents were seen as troublemakers.
“I realized when I started college that my father was clearly different – and that he wasn’t liked by many people,” says Toi. “Some of the teachers would say – oh you’re Tame Iti’s son. That’s how I became known – Tame Iti’s son.”
Death Threats were also a common occurrence, and continue to haunt some of the families today.
“I took a call one time,” says Te Whenua. ‘The guy said he was gonna come and f*** bomb our house.” Te Whenua was about six-years old at the time.
We also get to meet the children’s activist Parents in this thought-provoking documentary. Whether the topic is racism, poverty or the Treaty of Waitangi, these fighters were influential in raising issues and leading landmark events in New Zealand’s history in the 70’s and 80’s - from the Nga Tama Toa movement, language renaissance, land marches and protests as well as the 1981 springbok tour.
Sue and Kate Bradford