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TAKAHOA
season one
overwhelmed productions presents
LOGLINE & SYNOPSIS
Five childhood friends navigate love, family drama, and self-discovery as they transition into adulthood together.
Hana meets outspoken and opinionated Anahera at an art competition. After Anahera confronts Hana about a comment made on her art by one of Hana’s friends, she offers Hana a chance to redeem herself, and her art. Through Anahera, Hana discovers a sense of pride and validation in her Māori identity, inspiring a transformative journey of self discovery.
Created by Monet Bailey-Ngatai & Jess Sewell
KEY PRODUCTION
Showrunner & Writer ........................... Monet Bailey-Ngatai
Showrunner & Script Editor ................................ Jess Sewell
Executive Producer ........................................ Rachel Fawcett
Producer .............................................................. Jewels King
Director & Writer ............................................ Meggy Laguda
Director of Photography .................................... Jeri Oporto
Editor ............................................................. Brianna Harris
Production Coordinator ................................. Moeata Tararo
Media Manager ................................................ Alex Cormack
Art Director .................................................... Madison Grigg
Costume Designer ........................................... Vivienne Tam
Hair & Makeup Designer ......................... Isabelle Finley Reid
Music Supervisor ......................................... Katie Henderson
‘Takahoa' is a series created by and for young people, driven by a passion to showcase authentic characters and stories that resonate with diverse experiences in Aotearoa. We explore themes of family, identity, sexuality, friendship, and the journey from adolescence to adulthood. By telling these stories from within the demographic, we aim to provide a genuine and relatable platform for young voices to be heard.
Hana Tawhiri-Jones
Played by Manaia Judd
Hana is a kind-hearted people pleaser from a wealthy family disconnected from her Māori heritage. She’s a shy, creative soul, often found in lala land. Hana comes from a wealthy family from Auckland's North Shore. Her parents are married with busy work lives, but have always been supportive of Hana's hobbies. Growing up, Hana didn't show much interest in her Māori heritage or culture. As she got older, she struggled to connect with and accept her Māori identity.
Marlene Munro
Played by Georgia Benton
Self-absorbed, wild, and funny. Marley is chaotic and doesn’t think before she speaks, which often gets her told off in the friend group. Marley comes from an older Pākehā family living below the poverty line. Her family holds racist views and tends to blame others for their problems. Marley doesn't get along with her family members, often finding herself at odds with them. However, she sometimes catches herself adopting their behaviors, which bothers her. More than anything, Marley wants to break free from her family's toxic influence.
Costume provided by designer label, Banshee.
Alice Fung
Played by Amy Workman
Alice is a loud, funny, entitled individual who loves a party. She comes from a wealthy overseas family and lives separately from her friends due to strict parents. Alice comes from a wealthy family based overseas, but having spent most of her life in Auckland, New Zealand, she considers it home. She resides alone in a CBD apartment, a result of her parents' disapproval of her friends. Her parents cover her expenses, including a Black Amex card. However, their interactions are strained, limited to criticizing her grades and making her feel guilty. Despite Alice having come out at a young age, her parents refuse to accept her sexuality. As a result, she spends most of her time at the shared flat with her friends.
Costume provided by designer label, Sleeping Profit.
Sameera Kaur
Played by Nabeelah Khan
Quiet, opinionated; an intellectual. Sam loves to read and observe. She will only speak if she has something worth saying. Sam comes from an average-income family, raised by a single mother who struggles with severe depression. As a result, Sam has learned to be fiercely independent from a young age.
Costume provided by designer label, Knuefermann.
Elijah Barnes
Played by Michael Stewart
Eli exudes style and calmness, with a passion for fashion. He spends his time styling friends, offering advice, and designing clothes. Eli was adopted into an above-average-income Pākehā family at a young age. His parents are incredibly supportive of his fashion pursuits, and Eli has never shown much interest in learning more about his birth parents or cultural heritage. Eli’s lack of interest in his cultural heritage begins to transform into an inspired curiosity after watching Hana’s journey from the sidelines.
Costume provided by designer label, Abby Santillan.
Anahera Morrison
Played by Anahera Burrow Dewes
Strong personality, outspoken, and determined. Anahera is a creative soul who loves to express her culture through art.
Costume provided by designer label, Knuefermann.
Crew
1st Assistant Director.................................................................................................... Max Crean
2nd Assistant Director & Standby 1st Assistant Director................................. Jessica Bennett
Standby 2nd Assistant Director & 3rd Assistant Director................................... Moeata Tararo
Script Supervisor....................................................................................................... Kotoe Tozaki
Health & Safety Officer........................................................................................ Roland dela Rosa
Locations & Unit Manager.............................................................................................. Anna Jury
Production Runner.................................................................................................. Maanika Narsai
Art Assistant............................................................................................................. Alice Bratley
Visual Artist............................................................................. Te Awanui A Rangi Wihongi-Clark
Standby Production Runner.................................................................................... Alex Cormack
Costume Assistant.............................................................................................. Charlotte Green
Hair & Makeup Assistant.......................................................................................... Mavai Tuatea
Standby Hair & Makeup Assistant......................................................................... Katy Mei Tsao
Gaffer.............................................................................................................. Anne-Marie Groves
Lighting Assistant....................................................................................... Marianna Zvonareva
Sound Recordist................................................................................................. Fraser Satherley
Boom Operator................................................................................................. Corrin Ellingford
Boom Operator................................................................................................. Cassius Harrison
Boom Operator.......................................................................................................... Jared Newth
1st Assistant Camera.................................................................................................. Joey Leung
2nd Assistant Camera............................................................................................. Hsarhoo Moo
Camera Trainee & LX Assistant.......................................................................... Isabella Morris
Media Assistant...................................................................................................... Eden Babbage
Content Editor..................................................................................................... Brianna Harris
BTS Photographer................................................................................................. Alisha Lovrich
Secondary Cast
Luna....................................................................................................................... Kate Laughter
Whata........................................................................................................................ Denzel Toka
Artist 1.................................................................................. Te Awanui A Rangi Wihongi-Clark
Artist 2.................................................................................................................... Awhina Neru
Artist 3..................................................................................................................... Huia Clarke
Standby Artist 3................................................................................................. Perapuna Mutu
Caterer........................................................................................................... Mena Ren-Fritzke
Announcer................................................................................................................... Ariki Erby
Security Guard..................................................................................................... Jashan Sandhu
Art Gallery Extra..................................................................................................... Phoebe Lush
Art Gallery Extra......................................................................................................... Renee Ma
Art Gallery Extra............................................................................................... Serene Tangitu
Episode 1
Art of Apologies
We meet the 5 best friends Hana, Alice, Sam, Marley, and Eli. After Hana wins second place at an Art Gallery competition, Marley makes a racist comment towards the first place winner Anahera, who overhears and confronts Hana.
COSTUMES PROVIDED BY
Celia Lanigan
Checks Downtown
Fablecreek
Weiwen
Renee Ma
Knuefermann
Rhoda Nunn
Club Klepto
Manaia Judd
Musicians
Auckland .................................................................................................................... The Man Shamz
Malachite ............................................................................................................................. Gia Morri
Roll (No Fear) ............................................................................................................................ Valen
Highlight .............................................................................................................................. Gia Morri
Locations
Flat ......................................................................................... Provided by Tom & Keren Rosewarne
Art Gallery .................................................................................... Basement Theatre Makers Space
Episode 2
ENOUGH
Anahera’s invite to the Toi Room forces Hana to confront her insecurity about being Māori. When she opens up, Anahera challenges her to reflect on why she’s so avoidant of her Māori heritage.
COSTUMES PROVIDED BY
Knuefermann
Manaia Judd
Musicians
Radio ...................................................................................................................................... Teddyyy
Te Ira Wahine ................................................................................................................. Te Kura Huia
Light Me Up ........................................................................................................................... Ciinema
Locations
Exterior Toi Room ........................................................................ Basement Theatre Makers Space
Toi Room ................................................................................................................ Studio One Toi Tu
Flat ......................................................................................... Provided by Tom & Keren Rosewarne
Episode 3
A GOOD PLACE TO START
Pushed by Anahera’s questions and grounded by Sam’s support, Hana dives headfirst into reclaiming her Māori identity and unexpectedly, catches feelings along the way.
COSTUMES PROVIDED BY
Elslover
Manaia Judd
Musicians
Carry Me Home From The Car............................................................................................. Emerson
She.............................................................................................................................................. Valen
Locations
Flat........................................................................................... Provided by Tom & Keren Rosewarne
Toi Room ................................................................................................................ Studio One Toi Tu
Episode 4
UNTITLED FEELINGS
After a heartbreaking realisation, Hana spirals. Her friends rally around her, but some are battling their own struggles.
COSTUMES PROVIDED BY
Weiwen
Heyphoebee
Checks
Knuefermann
Rhoda Nunn
Elslover
Manaia Judd
Club Klepto
Musicians
Seventeen ................................................................................................................................. Erin G
Composition By ............................................................................................................. Superglacier
Pohutukawa .................................................................................................................. Tomuri Spicer
Locations
Toi Room ................................................................................................................ Studio One Toi Tu
Flat.......................................................................................... Provided by Tom & Keren Rosewarne
Episode 5
THE FALLOUT
Hana, finally feeling secure in herself, is forced to confront Marley’s reckless choices — putting their entire friendship on the line.
COSTUMES PROVIDED BY
Knuefermann
Manaia Judd
Musicians
Where Are You Now .......................................................................................................... Finn Alison
Savage ........................................................................................................................................ Prins
This City ............................................................................................................................. Sivle Talk
Heartbreak Overtime ........................................................................................................ Club Ruby
Locations
Art Gallery.......................................................................................................................... JaceSpace
Thank You To Our Mentors
Rachel Fawcett
Daryl Wong
Victoria Boult
Gabriella Larkin-Bruce
Tash Christie
Harriet Crampton
James Ensing-Trussell
James Brookes
Christie Stewart
Anna Duckworth
Pennie Black
Alisha Lovrich
We Couldn't Have Done This Without Our Sponsors
Lontessa
Monesha Properties
Rule Foundation
South Seas Film School
Department of Post
Topic Rentals Limited
Wireless Rentals
JaceSpace
Gordon Harris
Faber Castell
Atelier Interactive
Almighty
Top Print Taranaki
Popeyes New Zealand
Parkmate
Kaitaia Fire
How To Support Us
Watch Takahoa on YouTube
Episode 1 drops at 7pm on Sunday 7th September. Tell your friends to watch and share.
Subscribe and Follow Us
Subscribe on YouTube, follow us on Instagram and TikTok. Every click and follow goes a long way.
Buy Merch or Donate
Our merch is made by us and printed locally with Top Print Taranaki.
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