Street Lights

STREET LIGHTS is a story of redemption, forgiveness and love between three generations. It deals with topics such as drugs, abuse, toxic masculinity and mental health from the perspective of rangatahi in Te Tai Tokerau. The story is raw and real to me. The idea was to bring much-needed awareness to the daily struggle for many of us rangatahi in Te Tai Tokerau. 

STREET LIGHTS follows Kawiti, a young Māori boy from Kaitaia. Kawiti’s life is tumultuous - no mum, drunk Dad and lots of trouble to get into. His whole world is flipped on him when he discovers he has a newborn son. With no hope and nowhere to go, he turns to the last person he thought he would ever go to - his father. 

After losing one of my closest friends to a violent act at the start of 2020, I wanted to pay homage to him by writing a film based in our hometown, dedicated to the late nights we spent talking about shooting a film in Kaitaia. I spent hours upon hours writing as much as possible. 

Working alongside youth workers, social workers and others from all around Kaitaia, I found individual stories from different people that all contributed to the overall story of Street Lights. Many recounting stories of rough childhoods that define who they are as men. 

I wrote Street Lights, with my community in mind and my brother in my heart. I hope they’ll be proud. 

HELP US TELL THIS STORY

Filming in Kaitaia at night is going to be expensive. I need your help to hire the best lighting and camera gear, crew, transport and location expenses so that we can make the best film possible. 

Through the process, I hope to include rangatahi from my community so that together we can all learn and grow while making an important film from our perspective as rangatahi of the Far North. 

ABOUT ME

I am Te Mahara Tamehana, 18, of Ngāti Hine/Ngapuhi descent. 

I grew up in the Far North, predominantly in Kaitaia. I am a passionate filmmaker and storyteller starting with a Māoriland workshop at 14. Since then I have made content for my community and with other filmmakers from all around the world. 

Growing up without a strong father figure, many times I found my own story reflected in those around me. I saw this ongoing path of violence, pain and heartbreak. I saw my friends in the same shoes as me - some continued down that path cause they knew nothing else and some didn't get the chance. Filmmaking to me isn't just an escape from my reality, it’s me choosing to walk a path many don't get the opportunity to take. 

What I love most about film is the feeling of expressing myself; being free. I love sharing stories with people, portraying true emotion. I use filmmaking as a way to reflect social issues that affect us as Māori youth. 

As a storyteller from the far north, it's hard to communicate our stories without showing it. And when mainstream media chooses to ignore the violence happening on our streets, it's time to make change.

If I don’t heal my hood, who will?

OUR TEAM

STREET LIGHTS is part of the Ngā Pakiaka Incubator Project (NPIP). NPIP was developed by Māoriland during Lockdown to support rangatahi filmmakers to produce their first professional short films. The first eight in NPIP are Aree Kapa, Oriwa Hakaraia, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Kararaina Ngatai-Melbourne, Te Waiarangi Ratana, Bailey Poching, Tiana Trego Hall and Te Mahara Tamehana. All eight filmmakers have personal creative goals to become feature filmmakers and share Indigenous stories on the big screen. Under NPIP, this talented rangatahi have received one-on-one mentorship from industry experts from across the Indigenous filmmaking sector, craft development opportunities, workshops, and industry placements.

To bring this project to life, I need your help. Anything is greatly appreciated. 

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini!