This film was made in 2002 by New Zealand film maker, Niki Caro, and it’s a really good film. It tells the story of a young girl’s struggle to fulfill her destiny. The film is set in a small New Zealand coastal village where the Maori claim descent from Paikea, the Whale Rider. Traditionally a male heir is made chief of the village. Koro is the current chief of the village and his eldest son, Porourangi, has a daughter called Pai. Pai is one half of a twin but her brother died at birth and her mother died in childbirth. Her father leaves the village when his wife and son die leaving her with her grandparents. Koro believes that the tribe’s misfortunes began at Pai’s birth and so calls all the boys born at the same time as his granddaughter to put themselves forward as potential new leaders of the village. Pai must stand up to her grandfather and fight for her rightful place in the tribe.

On a lighter note and to quote Mag the only way to describe the actor that plays Porourangi is 'Bom Chicka Wah Wah’.