Witi Ihimaera

Lady Davina's uncle, the noted Maori author and university academic Witi Ihimaera, wrote the novel Whale Rider, which became the internationally acclaimed film.

by Niki Caro

Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand-German family drama film written and directed by Niki Caro.

by Kiwi filmmaker Niki Caro, Kiwi filmmaker Niki Caro's second feature at the time following Kiwi filmmaker Niki Caro's debut Memory & Desire

Whale Rider is both written and directed by Kiwi filmmaker Niki Caro, Kiwi filmmaker Niki Caro's second feature at the time following Kiwi filmmaker Niki Caro's debut Memory & Desire.

in which director/writer Niki Caro manages to tackle big issues without bashing you over the head with them

Whale Rider is a marvellously observed, small tale in which director/writer Niki Caro manages to tackle big issues without bashing you over the head with them.