Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
We're delighted to share this moment from the AFTRS production – Our Inked Identity. This short documentary brings us the story of Rangi Maika practising the art of tā moko an ocean away from his New Zealand roots, as he shares his experience with the art form and what it means for the revival of Māori culture and Māori people.
Director Jaida Ngawaka and producer Cooper Kahui-Chee said about the film, "Not only did we wish to bring more Māori voices to New Zealand's neighbouring country, where many Māori now choose to live, but we also wanted to single out the narrative not often told—that many people, including Rangi Maika, often feel disoriented in their cultural identity simply by living in another country."
Cultural identity is an essential part of one's well-being and connection to society, and cultural practices help maintain the connection even when uprooted. The documentary focuses on Rangi's use of tā moko to ground him in his Māori roots and how he uses it to bring other Māori people the same sense of peace living in Australia.
In the words of Jaida and Cooper, "Our Inked Identity was made as a testament to the practices of Māori people that not only mark and ground us in our cultural communities in New Zealand, but also in the foreign places that we also choose to call home."
AFTRS short documentaries from the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production students are streaming in collaboration with SBS On Demand, sharing compelling, world-class Australian stories and showcasing the exceptional, diverse student talent from AFTRS.
These short-form productions were created in response to a brief to explore culture and unique identity as part of the three-year program.
Head over to SBS On Demand to watch the full films and be inspired by these gems!
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/collection/aftrs-documentary-showcase
Find out more about AFTRS Documentary:
https://www.aftrs.edu.au/news/2024/aftrs-documentary-showcases-streaming-now-at-sbs-on-demand-and-docplay/
CREW
Director – Jaida Ngawaka
Producer – Cooper Kahui-Chee
Cinematographer – Melika Azimi
Assistant Director – Lewis Coote
Editor - Cooper Kahui-Chee
Featuring: Rangi Maika
Subscribe for more from AFTRS:
↳ AFTRS: hyperurl.co/AFTRS_Subscribe
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Find out more about AFTRS and follow us on socials:
↳ Facebook: facebook.com/aftrs
↳ Instagram: instagram.com/aftrs
↳ TikTok: tiktok.com/@aftrsgoodcontent
↳ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/australian-film-television-and-radio-school
↳ X: twitter.com/aftrs
--
Find out more about the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS):
↳ https://www.aftrs.edu.au
We're delighted to share this moment from the AFTRS production – Our Inked Identity. This short documentary brings us the story of Rangi Maika practising the art of tā moko an ocean away from his New Zealand roots, as he shares his experience with the art form and what it means for the revival of Māori culture and Māori people.
Director Jaida Ngawaka and producer Cooper Kahui-Chee said about the film, "Not only did we wish to bring more Māori voices to New Zealand's neighbouring country, where many Māori now choose to live, but we also wanted to single out the narrative not often told—that many people, including Rangi Maika, often feel disoriented in their cultural identity simply by living in another country."
Cultural identity is an essential part of one's well-being and connection to society, and cultural practices help maintain the connection even when uprooted. The documentary focuses on Rangi's use of tā moko to ground him in his Māori roots and how he uses it to bring other Māori people the same sense of peace living in Australia.
In the words of Jaida and Cooper, "Our Inked Identity was made as a testament to the practices of Māori people that not only mark and ground us in our cultural communities in New Zealand, but also in the foreign places that we also choose to call home."
AFTRS short documentaries from the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production students are streaming in collaboration with SBS On Demand, sharing compelling, world-class Australian stories and showcasing the exceptional, diverse student talent from AFTRS.
These short-form productions were created in response to a brief to explore culture and unique identity as part of the three-year program.
Head over to SBS On Demand to watch the full films and be inspired by these gems!
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/collection/aftrs-documentary-showcase
Find out more about AFTRS Documentary:
https://www.aftrs.edu.au/news/2024/aftrs-documentary-showcases-streaming-now-at-sbs-on-demand-and-docplay/
CREW
Director – Jaida Ngawaka
Producer – Cooper Kahui-Chee
Cinematographer – Melika Azimi
Assistant Director – Lewis Coote
Editor - Cooper Kahui-Chee
Featuring: Rangi Maika
Subscribe for more from AFTRS:
↳ AFTRS: hyperurl.co/AFTRS_Subscribe
--
Find out more about AFTRS and follow us on socials:
↳ Facebook: facebook.com/aftrs
↳ Instagram: instagram.com/aftrs
↳ TikTok: tiktok.com/@aftrsgoodcontent
↳ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/australian-film-television-and-radio-school
↳ X: twitter.com/aftrs
--
Find out more about the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS):
↳ https://www.aftrs.edu.au
