Characters
NAME three characters from the film
Paikea, Koro, Nanny, Rawiri, Hemi, Shilo, Miss Parata
What is the Maori name for the country in which the film is set?
Aotearoa (In English - New Zealand)
Identify a motif in the film.
Rei Puta (Whale Tooth)
Taiaha (Fighting Stick)
Tohoro (Whale)/ Whale Song
Song or Chant
Walking stick
Identify a diegetic sound in the film.
Any valid diegetic sound
What is the general name for whales in the Maori Language?
Tohora is the Maori name for whales.
Who is the protagonist of the film?
Paikea
What is the significance of the ocean setting?
Symbolises the connection to the tohora and their ancestry.
How is weather used symbolically?
Rain reflects sadness and hardship.
Identify a non-diegetic sound in the film.
Any valid non-diegetic sound in the film.
What is the mythological whale or sea creature that the ancestor Paikea rode on?
The Taniwha
Why does Koro resent Paikea?
She's a girl/She survived when her twin brother died.
Where is the opening scene of the film set?
The hospital during the birth of the twins.
How is Paikea's connection to her ancestor Paikea symbolised?
Through the whale song.
Identify a symbolic sound in the film and outline its symbolism.
Any valid symbolic sound.
Spell the name of Paikea's uncle.
Rawiri
Where does Paikea's father live and what does he do for work?
Germany, artist.
What setting is Pai excluded from in the film?
The cultural school Koro sets up.
OR
The boat trip to win the Rei Puta (whale tooth).
What is the symbolic meaning behind Paikea beating Hemi in the taiaha fight?
Who is the narrator of the film?
Paikea
What is the Maori word for the fighting stick?
Taiaha
Who is Paikea named after?
The mythical Paikea who travelled to
Aotearoa on a whale (tohora)
The beach.
What is the significance of the waka (boat) her father was building?
Built for his son, the next leader, finished for her daughter, the next leader.
What is the symbolism of the Tohora call.
Paikea's connection to her ancestry and culture/ Rightful place as the future leader.
What is the whale tooth worn on a necklace called?
Rei Puta