| Director | Geoff Murphy |
|---|---|
| Box office | NZD 600,000 |
In 1870, Te Wheke (Anzac Wallace) is a Māori warrior who collaborates with the colony of New Zealand during the New Zealand Wars. When he comes across a village destroyed by colonial forces, Te Wheke recognises it as his birthplace and deserts the colonialists to wage an insurgency against them instead. After Te Wheke destroys the home of colonial officer Williamson (Bruno Lawrence) and kills his wife Emily, Williamson vows to hunt down Te Wheke and kill him personally. Concomitantly, Māori scout Wiremu (Wi Kuki Kaa) and veteran officer Lieutenant Scott (Kelly Johnson) also attempt to track Te Wheke down, using insurgency weapons and tactics despite the personal disapproval of their superior, Colonel Elliot (Tim Eliott).