Whenua Films

WHENUA FILMS was started in early 2004 by Cliff Curtis and Ainsley Gardiner. Cliff, a talented character actor, came home from Hollywood with the expectation that after ten years away the Maori Film Industry would be flourishing with a diverse range of characters for him to play!! The reality inspired him to start a company devoted to creating a home for indigenous storytelling, that would in turn encourage an aspect of the industry informed by tikanga Maori.

Ainsley Gardiner was in the process of securing funding for Taika's second short, Tama Tu, and was also inspired to change the direction of Maori filmmaking in NZ.

Whenua Film's business plan is founded on the premise that indigenous peoples have a story to tell and that proactive steps must be taken to ensure that these stories do not perish through neglect by the dominant cultures or through our own failure as indigenous peoples to take steps to ensure the survival of the rich heritage that it ours. This includes supporting different narrative and stylistic structures that arise from who and what we are.

Ainsley and Cliff

Ainsley Gardiner and Cliff Curtis bring two different but highly compatible experiences to Whenua Films.

Ainsley has produced short and features films, television series, commercials and a child. As well as practical skill in production she brings experience in script development and selection, editing and post production and a passion for creative producing.