AKE AKE AKE an emotive, powerful, and at times confronting three-part documentary recounting events surrounding the
historic Ihumātao occupation, available on the MĀORI+ app, 16 July, and premiering 19 JULY 8.30 PM on MĀORI TELEVISION.
For producer Whatanui Flavell, making AKE AKE AKE was a long journey that awoke a sleeping beast inside him, to make
sure the story of Ihumātao was told.
“This isn’t just happening in Ihumātao, it's happening everywhere. It’s powerful, it's sad, it’s inspiring but it's also
very hopeful for what the future could bring. If we want to move forward as a nation, we need to be able to watch and
understand the story of Ihumātao,” said Whatanui Flavell.
With unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes footage shot by cameraman, Conan Fitzpatrick, AKE, AKE, AKE tells an
intimate story of loss, betrayal and resilience in the face of adversity.
“I knew about Ihumātao. However I knew nothing of the hard work by this whānau five years prior to the eviction, let
alone the 150 years of injustices that have taken place on that whenua, to those people,” Whatanui Flavell said.
The story is retold retrospectively through the eyes of six Cousins as they recount the heart-breaking experience and
the trauma their ancestors endured over decades in their struggles to retain the land.
“I want people to see the connection that this whānau had to their whenua, which meant that they were willing to do
absolutely anything to hold on to the last bit of whenua they had,” said Mr Flavell.
‘Ake, ake, ake’ (meaning ‘as long as it takes’) is often preceded by the phrase ‘Ka whawhai tonu mātou’ (‘we will
continue to fight’). It is a phrase that has become synonymous with Māori protest.
Coinciding with the 2nd anniversary of the occupation that began in July 2019, AKE, AKE, AKE shows how the inspirational
footsteps of protesters past still reverberate to this day.
“This was a campaign that drew its strength and will power from previous land movements. The difference was the use of
modern technology to engage, motivate and shake a nation out of complacency.”
Present day inteviews with the movements leaders, including Pania Newton and Qiane Matata-Sipu, makes for inspirational
and emotional viewing. The documentary also includes interviews with experts and supporters, including archaeologists,
policy advisors and elders.
“The most challenging part of this project was condensing this story in to 3 x 1 hour documentaries. We had to make some
tough decisions about what to put in and what to leave out,” said Whatanui Flavell.
AKE AKE AKE provides a fascinating insight into the minds and experiences of these cousins, who were brave enough to defend their
whenua.
“Seeing Māori work together as whānau, make decisions as whānau, and draw strength from each other to create a really
solid unit, now that is really powerful. And that is one of the lessons we can all learn from Ihumātao.”