Southern Lens - not just an "h" in Whakatipu

“We should not be a sideshow to be dragged out when a famous person comes to town.” The minority Māori population of Queenstown is fighting successfully for true inclusivity – not just an “h” in Lake Whakatipu.

The campaign is producing a Pākehā population that is increasingly embracing not only te reo Māori but the much larger universe of Māoritanga – deep values that are helping the community discover better ways to live and protect the environment. For perhaps New Zealand’s least inclusive town, it’s a cultural earthquake.

Shot and edited by James Haskard, produced by Kim Bowden in partnership with Two Bearded Men using funding from NZ On Air.