Memorial service for Merata Mita set for June 7

Respected Maori filmmaker Merata Mita, the former UH Mānoa Academy for Creative Media assistant professor who built and directed the indigenous filmmaking program, died recently in her native Aotearoa. 

 

Mita recently returned to New Zealand after many years spent working and teaching in U.S., most recently at UH Mānoa. Earlier this year, she was awarded the Companion of the Order of New Zealand Merit for her services to that country’s film industry. 

 

Beginning her filmmaking career in 1977, she was a fiercely political maker of documentaries—directing and co-directing films while also reporting and presenting for the Māori television news show, “Koha.” Mita’s acclaimed documentary “Patu!” depicted the violence between protestors and police during the 1981 Springbox tour. 

 

She was also the executive producer of the feature film, “The Land Has Eyes,” directed by Vilsoni Hereniko, director and professor of the Center for Pacific Islands Studies at UH Mānoa. Hereniko will be holding Mita’s memorial service at his home on the evening of Monday, June 7. To attend, please contact him at vili@hawaii.edu no later than June 5.