25/05/21: We have updated this file with an acknowledgement of the death of Alapasa Nemaia who sadly passed away after the filming of this video and the important contribution she made to this story.
Series Classification: PG (Parental Guidance) | Watch the series here
What led Commissioner Larsen, the New Zealand administrator of Niue in the 1950s, to be murdered in his bed by three locals hell-bent on justice and revenge?
In an extraordinary story of the trauma suffered by indigenous people at the hands of an alleged tyrant, a dramatic chapter in NZ and Niuean history is unravelled.
Niuean family members, politicians and historians give their perspectives on the little-known New Zealand colonial history of the ‘realm nation’ of Niue.
DOP, Jack Tarrant, filming presenter, Shimpal Lelisi above the Niue ocean Photo: TUKI LAUMEA
DOP, Jack Tarrant, setting up a shot with presenter, Shimpal Lelisi, in an overgrown derelict Niue building Photo: TUKI LAUMEA
Actors recreate scenes where Larsen bullied Niue locals, leading to his violent death Photo: TUKI LAUMEA
Director, Tuki Laumea, talks with Alepasa Nemaia Photo: JACK TARRANT
DOP, Jack Tarrant; Director, Tuki Laumea; Presenter, Shimpal Lelisi join locals for a photo Photo: Tikilounge Productions
An actor role plays as tyrant, Cecil Hector Larsen - silhouetted from behind Photo: TUKI LAUMEA
DOP, Jack Tarrant, filming presenter, Shimpal Lelisi in the waters of Niue Photo: TUKI LAUMEA
Presenter, Shimpal Lelisi, framed by the caves of Niue, looks out to the ocean Photo: TUKI LAUMEA
DOP Jack Tarrant, BTS shot of Shimpal Lelisi presenting to camera Photo: TUKI LAUMEA
DOP Jack Tarrant, BTS shot of Shimpal Lelisi presenting to camera Photo: TUKI LAUMEA
About Tikilounge Productions:
Tikilounge Productions Photo: Tikilounge Productions
Tikilounge Productions brings the stories of the Moana to the world and amplifies indigenous narratives by centring indigenous voices as the mainstream. The multi-award-winning young team of Tikilounge creatives are constantly evolving forms of Pacific storytelling, as they share their kaupapa and histories with the world.
The Untold Pacific History series is an attempt to unravel some of the histories of the Pacific region as a starting point to wider conversations around what has happened in NZ’s colonial past.
With a raft of award-winning feature documentaries and a variety of Film and TV Producer credits under its belt, Tikilounge Productions is also the creator of the world's biggest online hub of Pasifika content in the portal the coconet.tv.
Additional audio provided courtesy of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Photo: Ngā Taonga
Photo: RNZ/NZ On Air
