For the past 150 years, the relationship between Tūhoe and the New Zealand government has been defined by longstanding grievances over severe colonisation experiences such as illegal land confiscations and the devastating consequences of scorched earth policies. Then, in 2014 history was made: Tūhoe's ancestral homelands were returned, the New Zealand government gave an official apology and Tūhoe built the first ever "Living Building" in NZ, conceived as a testament to their values and vision of self-governance.

‍

The new building is the binding character in this observational documentary that immerses us in a culture that is tightly woven into its land and an architecture that is defined by its integrity to it.

‍

Check out the trailer here.

‍

About the director: 

Sarah Grohnert is a director/editor with a particular taste for films that fully immerse the audience in the experience of a place, people and story. She originally trained as an editor in her native Germany before studying directly at the Arts Institute Bournemouth, UK. Sarah emigrated to NZ in 2010 and since has been working on a number of award-winning projects across film and television.

Ever the Land is her first feature documentary as director. She is currently also in development for her first fiction feature film.

‍

Free Screenings: 

Saturday 24 June, 11am

Saturday 22 July, 2:30pm

‍

No need to register, please just come along.

‍

Cover image by Ana Dermer