Client: Imagine Documentaries
Services: Media Liaison, Cultural Advisory
Year: 2022
Brief: Guide and assist Imagine Documentaries to succesfully foster positive working relationships with Māori and community stakeholders during the production of the The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari documentary
Contributors: Project Lead – William Stewart;
We were honoured to be invited to work with internationally renowned film company Imagine Documentaries on the production of The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari – an immensly powerful account of the Whakaari (White Island) tragedy of 2019 – that debuted on Netflix in December 2022.
By facilitating introductions – and nurturing positive working relationships – with local iwi and key Māori stakeholders, including whānau (family) directly affected by the tragic events at Whakaari, we were able to help Imagine respectfully incorporate a strong cultural context and tangata whenua perspective into the documentary.
Through helping navigate the complexities of Māori cultural landscapes, we empowered the production team to authentically engage with Māori communities and sensitively tell the story of the Whakaari tragedy. Together, we worked towards a shared vision of cultural collaboration and produced a documentary that resonates with integrity and authenticity.
We were extremely proud of the film and remain immeasurably impressed by the respectful and sensitive manner in which Imagine approached every aspect of the production. E mihi ana!