A cinematic experience of Fiordland
The Maoris found their way into the Southern Fiords long before any Europeans. They went there to hunt the Moa and to gather Pounamu or Greenstone as we know it today. The terrain they encountered was harsh, with deep valleys and heavy native bush. These deep fiords and high mountains casting long shadows for much of the day.
The Maoris with their descriptive language had a name for this beautiful land, they called it Ata Whenua, or shadowland, such a beautiful name for such a spectacular land.
A lot of Fiordland is hard to get to, with the exception of the Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound the rest is out of most people’s reach. Hardy trampers hike the many tracks, fishermen fish and take shelter in the many anchorages within the Fiords and aircraft pilots look down in it all.
One such pilot, Kim Hollows who has seen it all and like me spent half a life in Fiordland felt he wanted to share some of this with the people visiting this stunning region.
Kim, a helicopter pilot with his vast knowledge of Fiordland thought he could make a film, a real film about Fiordland. But not only make a film but build a cinema in Te Anau to show it in. Well he did just that. This short film runs many times a day and in my opinion it is a must do while you are in Te Anau.
This short movie is only half an hour long and runs many times throughout the day so even if you are just passing through, go and see it. See the Cinema.
To view the Ata Whenua trailer just click the start button, bottom left of screen.
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