“Storytelling has the power to transform lives”
Toby Mills (Ngāti Hinerangi)
“My vision is to make films and television programs that can create meaningful discussions.” Toby
Ko Weraititemaunga, Ko Waihouteawa, Ko NgātiHinerangite iwi, Ko NgātiTawhakitehapū, Ko Tainui te waka.
I concentrate on producing work that showcases Māori as vibrant, positive and evolving people, still dealing with challenging yet exciting issues. My involvement in the creative industries began as an actor, before I moved into roles as a filmmaker, producer, director, tour and stage manager and entrepreneur.
For the last 25 years, To have been developing my voice as a filmmaker. What I most enjoy about working in this industry is the power storytelling has to transform lives.
Tawera Productions is an award-winning video and media production company providing high-quality creativity with demanding project management, creating videos that inform, inspire and motivate
Our films have been screened internationally at film festivals around the world, broadcast nationally, and distributed through tertiary institutions, both in New Zealand and overseas.
Moana Maniapoto [Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Tuhourangi, Ngāti Pikiao]
Director / Researcher / Interviewer Moana Maniapoto is most well known as a musician, and leader of the band Moana & the Tribe. A law graduate, Moana can also claim a strong career in both radio and television broadcasting. A talkback host on the very first national Maori radio station in 1990, she also hosted her own weekly night-time show on Radio Waatea and a music magazine series called Tribal Beats. She co-hosted a children’s live television series, Yahoo (TV3) and acted on Shortland Street opposite Temuera Morrison.
"Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu. Small but precious."
Let’s film our people… telling their own story, and capture it with integrity.
THE CREATORS & DOERS
Our team are a talented and creative team of filmmakers, producers and digital experts, proud of focusing on ideas that we are truly passionate about. That’s why much of our work focuses on Maori, Pacific and oceanic subjects.
NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTION CREW
Everyone on our team believes we must act to make the world a more connected and better place. If you have a creative project and need production help, or want to take a stand for a belief we share together, lets talk
Toby Mills: tawera productions
CO-DIRECTOR: Mana Moana Mana Tangata
A feature length documentary that tells the story of how Māori fought to reclaim their fishing rights in an epic battle that changed the course of history and ensured Māori participation in the nation’s fisheries resources for generations to come. Supported by Te Ohu Kaimoana, Moana New Zealand, Te Wai Māori and Tapuwae Roa, in partnership and sponsorship from Te Māngai Pāho and Whakaata Māori. DocEdge: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
Co-DIRECTOR: WHETŪ MĀRAMA - BRIGHT STAR
Documentary Whetū Mārama – Bright Star tells the story of Sir Hekenukumai Ngaiwi Puhipi — aka ‘Hek’ Busby — and his significance for Māori in reigniting their wayfinding DNA. At age 50 the former bridge builder embraced waka building and traditional Māori navigation. Official Selection 17th Native Spirit Film Festival UK Premiere. 2022 FIFO - Oceanian International Documentary Film Festival (Tahiti) 2021 Saint Petersburg Film & Television Festival (Russia) Best Feature Documentary 2022 Māoriland Film Festival. 2021 Doc Edge. Made with funding from NZ On Air and the NZ Film Commission. Co-Director, Writer & Producer Toby Mills. Aileen O'Sullivan.
DIRECTOR: TE AO WITH MOANA
A weekly current affairs show that examines national and international stories through a Māori lens. On demand globally. Watch Te Ao with Moana - Camera - Television
DIRECTOR: WAKA WARRIORS - FIRST EPISODE
In this first episode of the 2015 Māori Television series, three rangitahi answer Facebook call for sailors who are up for reconnecting with nature and their culture, on a six week waka journey circumnavigating the North Island. Jeez, that was a bit of a waste of time: just should’ve tipped the food straight over the side and we wouldn’t have had to wash the plate! Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr on one of the crew getting seasick. Director - Television.
PRODUCER: MENDING THE MĀKŌTUKU
World Premier of ‘Mending the Mākōtuku’ to Raetihia documentary on the water contamination, among other issues. Broadly the documentary is about the resilience of small community to band together and step up to help each other when the chips are own and explore the issues that confront many communities in NZ surrounding their natural resources. We heard what you have to say about the water crisis last year and what your reflections were a year later. So please, always take up an opportunity to have your say. Producer - Film
TE HONO KI AOTEAROA
Holland’s National Museum of Ethnology requested to acquire a Māori warcanoe (waka taua) as a permanent exhibit. This resulted in master builderHector Busby being commissioned to craft one. Jan Bieringa’s film looks at the history of waka, and follows the project from construction and launch, to the training of a Dutch crew and arrival in Holland. Camera - Film
DIRECTOR: THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING
Aileen O’Sullivan’s and Toby Mills’ documentary follows Black Grace as they prepare for an appearance at premier dance festival Jacob’s Pillow, in Massachusetts. The film also charts the personal journey of the dance group’s founder, choreographer Neil Ieremia, from the community halls of Porirua to the global stage, powered by an unrelenting perfectionism that makes for some heated rehearsal footage. Shortly after the performances shown here, Ieremia fired the entire touring company, rebuilding his vision from scratch. Ken Sparks’ editing won an NZ Screen Award. Writer, Director, Producer, Actor
DIRECTOR: PRODUCER - THE BRIDGE BUILDER
Looks at the life of master waka builder and celestial navigator, Hekenukumai (Hec) Busby,MBE.Itis a profile on 80 year old Hekenukumai Busby; Mastercarver, waka-builder, celestialnavigator and icon of the Pacific. Director, Producer - Television
CO-Director: THE ISLAND
This documentary looks at the history of the island of Motutaiko, the prominent landmark in the middle of Lake Taupō. Motutaiko is a sacred site for Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Toby Mills and Moana Maniapoto use interviews and island life to examine Motutaiko’s strategic place in Māori history. Co-Director, Editor, Second Camera, Sound - Television.
DIRECTOR: WAI 262
In 1991 six tribes took a major claim to the Waitangi Tribunal, encompassing everything from intellectual rights to management of indigenous fauna. Law professor David Williams describes Wai 262 as “the most important claim the tribunal is ever going to hear”. Director, Producer, Camera, Editor, Sound - Film.
CO-DIRECTOR: BLACK GRACE - FROM CANNON'S CREEK TO JACOB'S PILLOW
Aileen O’Sullivan’s and Toby Mills’ documentary follows Black Grace as they prepare for an appearance at premier dance festival Jacob’s Pillow, in Massachusetts. Featuring the personal journey of the dance group’s founder, choreographer Neil Ieremia, from the community halls of Porirua to the global stage. Co-Director, Associate Producer, Second Camera. Television.
Co-Director: SYD JACKSON: LIFE AND TIMES OF A FULLY FLEDGED ACTIVIST
Winner of Best Māori Programme at the 2003 NZ TV Awards, this Ngā Reo episode of the late fighter for Māori, women’s and homosexual rights. The intellectual “warrior” helped put Treaty debate on the agenda, leading Māori activist group Ngā Tamatoa, and rousing Māori activism in the 70’s. Co-Director, Producer - Television.
Co-Director: HE TOHUNGA WHAKAIRO
This documentary of the late Ngāti Porou master carver follows Harrison, the eldest of 21 children from Ruatoria, who honed his practice while still a student at Te Aute College in Hawke’s Bay, leaving a legacy as one of the finest tohunga whakairo (expert carvers)
Director: TE PO URIURI (THE ENVELOPING NIGHT)
Awatea, a young warrior, is enraged when his lover Te Po, a high-born chief’s daughter, enters an arranged marriage. Retribution is swift and brutal. Set in the late 16th century and based on a Shakespeare sonnet “my love is as a fever, longing still” selected for the Hamburg International Film Festival. Writer, Producer, Director - Short Film
CO-DIRECTOR: NGĀ MOREHU – END OF AN ERA
Moana Maniapoto and Toby Mills’ documentary series recorded interviews with end-of millennium Māori elders (including Maniapoto’s nan Kaa Rakaupai) in four hour-long episodes. Screened on TVNZ and at French and Finnish film festivals. Director, Producer - Television.
DIRECTOR: THE FAMILY
An urban Maori trust, Te Whanau o Waipareira has developed from modest beginnings as a vegetable selling co-op into the biggest employment and training organisation in West Auckland. This documentary by Toby Mills and Aileen O’Sullivan examines its operations. Director, Producer - Television.
DIRECTOR – AN INSIDE STORY
In this 1998 documentary, for TV3’s Inside New Zealand slot, prisoners provide straight-talking descriptions of life on the inside. Collectively rejecting any idea of prison as a soft option, they talk about missing sunlight, how even the staunchest cry, and closing up emotionally. Director, Producer - Television.
PRODUCTION - WITI IHIMAERA
Documentary about Māori writer Witi Ihimaera features him in conversation with filmmaker Merata Mita, traversing his writing career, emphasising the importance of family. Aileen O’Sullivan’s film features a star-studded assemblage of local literature, Keri Hulme, Albert Wendt, Geoff Walker . Production Manager - Television
DIRECTOR: THE FAMILY
An urban Maori trust, Te Whanau o Waipareira has developed from modest beginnings as a vegetable selling co-op into the biggest employment and training organisation in West Auckland. This documentary by Toby Mills and Aileen O’Sullivan examines its operations. Director, Producer - Television.
DIRECTOR: TAONGA PUORO - A STORY OF SOUND
A series on traditional Maori instruments, their origins, use and spiritual as well as cultural significance. Based on interviews with Richard Nunns and Hirini Melbourne. Director, Producer, Camera - Television
AS: MATA - SHORT FILM MANANUI
On returning to his marae (home community), Mana finds conflict between traditional values and contemporary reality. He argues that more attention is being paid to honouring and burying the dead than to caring for the living. A suicide brings matters to a head.
AS: HOPU MANU - SHORT FILM TE PITO O TE HENUA
An investigator descended from the people of Rapanui (Easter Island) travels back to the homeland of his ancestors to rediscover the history. He calls on the memory of the ancestor Hotu Matua, who returns as a ghost to comment on the environmental degradation of Rapanui, and look for a way forward.