Poi E: The Story of Our Song
Written and directed by Tearepa Kahi (Mt Zion) and starring Maaka Pohatu (The Modern Maori Quartet, Two Little Boys) the film tells the story of musician Dalvanius Prime and the origin of the song “Poi E”, a ground-breaking fusion of 1980s pop and traditional Māori music. “Poi E”, composed by Dalvanius and Ngoingoi Pēwhairangi and performed by the Patea Māori Club, remains the only song in Te Reo Māori to reach No 1 in the charts, over 30 years since its 1984 release.
Top Billed Cast
Dalvanius Prime
Self (archive footage)
Ngoingoi Pēwhairangi
Self (archive footage)
Pātea Māori Club
Self
Barletta Prime
Self
Maaka Pohatu
Dalvanius Prime
Featured Crew
Tearepa Kahi
Director
Tearepa Kahi
Writer
Fred Renata
Director of Photography
Savage
Production Design
Alexander Behse
Producer
Reikura Kahi
Producer
Tearepa Kahi
Producer
Tuteri Dal Rangihaeata
Co-Producer
Tearepa Kahi
Editor
Francis Glenday
Editor
Dick Reade
Sound Designer
Colleen Brennan
Sound Designer