| Director | Charles Walters |
|---|---|
| Budget | $2 million |
| Box office | $1 million |
Anna Vorontosov is an American teacher at a rural school on New Zealand's North Island. Her unorthodox teaching methods have won her the adoration of her classroom, which consists mostly of Māori students. One morning, she learns that new superintendent William W. J. Abercrombie has stopped by her classroom. Worried, Anna talks to the headmaster Mr. Reardon about how she can best present her class before him. They decide that having an assistant teacher is the best option.
Anna goes to her colleague Paul Lathrope, a motorcycle-riding British-born teacher, about finding an assistant. They both choose Whareparita, a teenaged Māori girl. Paul then expresses interest in getting to know Anna, but she brushes off his advances. When Anna and Whareparita return to the classroom, Anna is amazed to see her students well-behaved and learn that Abercrombie had instructed them so. Anna scolds Abercrombie for his interference, to which he states he only wanted to borrow a book written by her students.
During recess, Mark Cutter, one of Anna's few Caucasian students, tells her that Matawhero, his Māori classmate and best friend, has ran away and will not return to school. Incensed, Anna arrives at the Māori village, where she converses with his grandfather Chief Rauhuia. Matawhero, who has been eavesdropping, explains he ran away because someone hit him with a big stick, though he refuses to name who. Anna persuades Matawhero to return to school, and when they do, Anna learns from his reaction it was Paul.
After Anna berates Paul for discipling her students, Paul admits that he feels he is not a qualified teacher. He also intends to quit at the end of the term and become a singer. Anna softens her perspective towards him, and they agree to an evening date. At her house, Paul sings a German song while Anna plays the piano. Paul thinks he sings great, but Anna provides some constructive criticism, which he does not take well. Paul asks to stay with her for the night, but Anna prudishly refuses. As he storms off, Anna states her true relationship is with her students.
During one of her classes, Abercrombie arrives and is impressed with one of the stories from the book he had borrowed. Anna passionately tells him that the children will learn only if they feel. Outside of the school, Anna repeatedly encounters Paul, and while she is attracted to him, Anna refuses to submit to his advances.
One day, while shopping for school supplies, Anna reports to Abercrombie about Paul. Abercrombie is aware of Paul, who has a troubled past, but has steadily refused to fire him, believing Paul is a man of passion. Anna also learns that Abercrombie is from England, but his wife and son have left for London while he stays in New Zealand.
During class, as they inspect their students for lice, Anna takes notice of Whareparita, who is maturing into womanhood. Later on, Whareparita faints, having become pregnant though she refuses to divulge the father's identity as he will not raise the child. Instead, she knows her village will raise the child. Anna is appalled and shocked by the entire situation.
Abercrombie talks to Anna about publishing the book as a pilot project with the blessing of the school's council. Anna is shocked but pleased, but she will not allow them to make any requested editorial changes without the children's consent.
Late one evening, Paul becomes drunk and is killed when his motorcycle crashes over a hill and bursts into flames. At Paul's funeral, Anna realizes Paul is the one who impregnated Whareparita. A remorseful Anna believes Paul was suicidal and had she not turned down his advances, he would have still been alive. However, Abercrombie knows Paul's death was accidental and that Anna's feeling of guilt is unjustified. He admits to Anna that he loves her and plans to divorce his wife regardlessly. Anna hugs him.
At the school, walking side by side, Abercrombie happily whistles as Anna goes into her classroom.