Tū Tonu – Still Standing

Champion arborist Zane Wedding confronts a defining choice between competitive glory and activism, a journey intertwining Māori wisdom with his deep love for tree-climbing.

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OUR STORY

Guided by his tupuna, Zane Wedding of Ngāti Kuri and Ngāti Pikiao, has been a relentless defender of ngā rākau and advocate against social injustices. A master arborist, he once occupied a Puriri tree for 100 days to prevent the destruction of native trees. Now, standing at the brink of destiny, balancing the pursuit of a world title with the pressing need to protect his heritage and environment. Which will prevail?

Zane’s dream to become a world tree climbing champion gets superseded by a moral awakening, leading him to devote himself towards tackling some of society's biggest injustices, protecting his tangata and whenua through activism and education.

Zane realises throughout the process that the principles he’s been learning via his dedication to reclaiming his mātauranga, te reo and tikanga Māori, have not only helped him with his cause, but also brought him back to the sport he loves, for one more shot at the world title.

The story is unfolding in realtime; with Gaza collapsing, environmental catastrophe looming, Destiny Church knocking on his doorstep and the Auckland Tree Climbing on April 13th, Zane has his hands full to say the least.

OUR TEAM

Director: Brady Polkinghorne

Currently studying at Te Wānanga Takiura, Brady is on his own haerenga to learn his reo and reconnect to his whakapapa. Equally he is a tauiri of writing and he is passionate about bringing these two pou together. With a comedy web series under his belt linked to personal experience of silent retreating he’s ready to tell more meaningful stories that connect to his heritage.

Producer: Andy Day

Andy has run a commercial film studio for over 7 years, specialising in branded content and documentaries. He is also on a personal reconnection journey and has set his sights on telling the stories that strengthen and enrich his connection to Te Ao Maori and whakapapa.

OUR TARGET

As part of the Loading Docs initiative, we need to raise a minimum of $5,000 through Boosted. Once we reach our minimum target, it will unlock additional funding from Loading Docs. But, this is an all or nothing campaign. If we don’t reach our target, we get nothing! That’s why we need your help.

Loading Docs is funded by NZ On Air with support from the New Zealand Film Commission and Te Māngai Pāho.

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