Mawhialeo Ote Alowha

'Mawhialeo Ote Alowha' is a short documentary produced by students at Victoria University of Wellington as a cumulative project of their Master of Fine Arts. We are fundraising to cover the license fees for a song used in this short film as well as festival submission fees.

This short documentary has finished production and is ready to be sent to domestic & international film festivals, once these application and music licensing fees are secured. We are reaching out to you, our beautiful whānau and friends, to ask for your support to ensure this project is officially signed off and available for the world to see. After the festivals’ run, we hope to continue sharing Meli and Avito’s story through future community and public screenings, showcasing the film in museums, galleries and educational institutions. 

A BIT ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY

"Te Au O Matua Ko Whanau, Te Au O Whanau Ko Matua - The heart of the parents are their children, the heart of the children are their parents"

The film tells the story of Meli and Avito Alefosio living in Lower Hutt, Wellington who came to NZ in the 1970s to seek medical assistance for their son Joseph. Meli and Avito lived on one of the most remote islands in the world: tiny Nukunonu, a Pacific atoll of Tokelau. Convinced by a visiting Kiwi doctor that their blind son Joseph would have better opportunities in New Zealand, they set sail with their children in 1976. They left behind their close-knit community and the way of life for a place where they don’t speak the language or understand the culture. 43 years on, Meli and Avito have become the heart of a new community in Naenae, Wellington where they strive to continue the culture of their home.  

Throughout the course of our filming, Joseph spontaneously sung one of his favorite country songs acapella. This became a defining moment that captured his warmth and good nature, through his expressive and beautiful gift for music. Joseph carries on the family tradition of composition and singing traditional Tokelauan fatele, following after his mother Meli and grandfather Ihaia Puka. The film features fatele composed by Meli and Avito, as well as traditional songs originating from all Tokelauan atolls, performed by members of the Tokelauan community. 

We're extremely grateful for those who have already generously supported Mawhaileo Ote Alowha. It has been an incredible year of building relationships with the Alefosio family and the Lower Hutt Tokelauan community, and we look forward to furthering these bonds and sharing this documentary with the viewers across the globe.

Director's Note

Immersing myself in the vibrant multicultural city of Wellington eventually led me to Meli and Avito Alefosio’s poignant story. Hearing how Meli and her family left Tokelau for New Zealand resonated with me and my own journey of uncertainty being away from home. Meli and Avito only planned to be here for a couple of  years. We both share the fear that if you do not go back home you will not feel like you belong where you are. Although there are plenty of familiarities in cultures and societies I have lived in, and especially here in New Zealand, there are plenty of differences too, making me feel like I both belong and do not at the same time. Having an understanding of Meli and Avito’s personal past and present, and their challenges navigating the Palagi world in New Zealand allowed me to critically reflect on my own cultural identity as a Ukrainain filmmaker.

The Team

Director & Cinematographer: Valeriya Golovina

Producer: Niamh Swannack

Executive Producer: Paul Wolffram

Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Cameron Cook

Editor: Morgan Hopkins

Composer: William Philipson

Where the funds are going 

Between an allocation of funds from Victoria University of Wellington, and our own crowdfunding campaign in October 2019, we were fortunate to be provided with $4000 that covered the bulk of production costs, including early development through to post-production. We have engaged with our incredible community of donors who have supported this project thus far and we would love to do a special screening for our supporters.

This campaign will cover music licensing fees, the film's application fees for local and international festivals and essential marketing and publicity materials.

Our aim is to broaden our community who are invested in Meli and Avito’s story and those of the Tokelauan community at large. We believe this project will resonate with audiences whilst supporting the future development of stories and narratives brought to light from those little corners of the world.

All donors will be kept updated throughout the festival run and get an on-screen credit.

Donations made by NZ income earners qualify for a 33% tax credit from the IRD with a receipt provided by The Arts Foundation.

Please support us in reaching our goal and share this project with your communities. 

Thank you!