Filmmaker Statement

As the director of Mauri Moana, I am driven by an ancestral connection to the land and waters of Aotea, an island that holds significant historical value for Aotearoa’s indigenous people. This documentary explores the invasive spread of Caulerpa brachypus, a marine algae that threatens not only the ecological balance of our marine ecosystems but also the cultural fabric and livelihoods of the communities who depend on these waters. The invasion of Caulerpa is more than an environmental issue; it is a crisis tied to identity, survival, and resilience. I have woven a narrative that captures the urgency of this crisis, focusing on the ahi kā—the local people of the island. It’s a confrontation with an unseen enemy where the stakes are the preservation of a way of life and the environment that defines us. This documentary is personal. Mauri Moana is an invitation to witness Aotea’s beauty, understand the depth of the crisis, and join the collective effort to address this ecological chall