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Whale Rider
Visit website7.1/10 • 409
2003-01-30 • 1h 41m
In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
- Directors
- Niki Caro
- Editors
- David Coulson

Whale Rider
Visit website2003-01-30 • 1h 41m
7.1/10 • 409
In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
- Directors
- Niki Caro
- Editors
- David Coulson
Top Billed Cast
View CreditsKeisha Castle-Hughes
Paikea Apirana
Rawiri Paratene
Koro
Vicky Haughton
Nanny Flowers
Cliff Curtis
Porourangi
Grant Roa
Uncle Rawiri
Mana Taumaunu
Hemi
Rachel House
Shilo
Taungaroa Emile
Willie
Tammy Davis
Dog
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- Status
- Released
- Original Language
- English
- Budget
- $8,000,000.00
- Revenue
- $41,400,000.00
- Keywords
- divingbecoming an adultgrandparent grandchild relationshiptraditionloss of loved oneoceanwhaleempowermentnew zealandmaori traditionchiefmodern societycanoepatriarchstick fightingpatriarchymagic realismwoman directorswimming underwaterwar dancetraditional dance