Two men's friendship has been weakened by their contrasting approaches to life. Bob (Jeremy Stephens) has left his wife to paint pictures of a lover (Shirley Gruar) who is much younger than him. Lawyer Graham (Bill Johnson, who later played Mr Wilberforce in Under the Mountain) is the voice of reason, trying to convince Bob to quit his bohemian lifestyle. But is Graham really acting in his mate's best interests?
Tawhai Bennett, a young Maori boy, goes to work for Mrs Jones, a Pakeha; woman, helping her deliver groceries and mail. However, things take an unexpected turn when he fears that a local Maori elder has placed a curse (makutu) on her.
Set in a North Island timber town, Pukemanu portrayed the lives of rural, bi-cultural townsfolk, earning praise for its authentic depiction of boozy, blokey characters in swannie attire.
Conversations with four people, exploring their inner worlds, their self-image and how they feel they fit into society. It explores spirituality, loneliness, art and home.
Keskidee Aroha is a black theatre troupe based in London. On their 1979 tour of New Zealand, the group performs at prisons and youth centers and interacts with the people of New Zealand.
