IN "Whale Rider," a Maori girl named Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) grows up with a grandfather who disapproves of her very existence. This should be devastating enough, but Pai is made of sterner ...

The success of Niki Caro’s “Whale Rider” may be attributed almost entirely by the locale in which the film is set. Filmed in the coastal village of Whangara, New Zealand, Caro’s newest work expresses ...

Over Koro’s objections, the son, Porourangi (Cliff Curtis), names the surviving girl Pai after Paikea, the tribe’s founding ancestor who, legend has it, arrived in the village on a whale’s back.

Strong adaptation of Witi Ihimaera's 1986 novel, "The Whale Rider" combines straightforward coming-of-age narrative with Maori mysticism to most engaging effect. Second bigscreen feature for New ...

Once in a while, a film comes along that is as sound, smart, sweet and significant as can be, and Whale Rider is such a film. Fault the project on various counts if you like (I'll try), but ...

Once in a while a film comes along that is as sound, smart, sweet and significant as can be, and Whale Rider is such a film. Fault the project on various counts if you like (I'll try), but ...

Heartbroken, Porourangi flees to Germany to practice his arts and crafts, leaving Paikea to be raised by her whip-smart grandmother Nanny Flowers (energetic Vicky Haughton) and sternly ...

Once in a while a film comes along that is as sound, smart, sweet and significant as can be, and Whale Rider is such a film. Fault the project on various counts if you like (I'll try), but ...

Hit Pit boxers Porourangi Moeke-Murray (left) and Tawhiri Toheriri-Hallett on the bags. They and clubmate Zeke Tane attended a Commonwealth Games camp and made the 'longlist' for the next camp ...

Once in a while, a film comes along that is as sound, smart, sweet and significant as can be, and Whale Rider is such a film. Fault the project on various counts if you like (I'll try), but ...

Strong adaptation of Witi Ihimaera's 1986 novel, "The Whale Rider" combines straightforward coming-of-age narrative with Maori mysticism to most engaging effect. Second bigscreen feature for New ...