Kia Tupato

Kia Tupato (Be Careful) features the late Sir John Turei as he presents Maori views on Genetic Modification with reference to the land and the teaching of his Grandparents. Sir John was considered a bridge between the cultures of Maori and non-Maori in New Zealand, and received many honours from the Government including a Knighthood. Born in 1920 in Tuhoe country in the East of the North Island, Sir John served in the Maori Battalion in the Second World War in the Middle East and in Italy. He was an adviser to various leaders and government departments and assisted in the formal openings of the New Zealand embassies in Seoul and India. Kia Tupato presents the teachings of Sir John and his people and includes footage from the protest movement against Genetic Modification in New Zealand.

Michelle McGregor is a film maker from Auckland New Zealand. Kia Tupato has screened across New Zealand and in late 2004 was awarded the first prize in the He Puata Whakairo Short Film Awards, screened nationally on Maori Television.