Ramai Hayward

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Ramai Hayward, MNZM

Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu

Ramai Hayward’s illustrious career in film and television is one full of firsts – she was the first Māori woman filmmaker. She also starred in Rewi’s Last Stand (1940) – the first local feature to be shown on television – and, To Love a Maori, which was her last film with husband Rudall Hayward and was the first New Zealand feature film to be shot in colour. 

Ramai Hayward was both an actor and a filmmaker and, in 2006, she received a New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to film and television.

In this excerpt from Koha, Ramai Hayward reflects back on her career.

Find out more about Ramai Hayward:

Read more about Ramai Hayward on NZ On Screen. 

Listen to radio interviews with Ramai Hayward.

Image: Screengrab, Koha: Ngā Pikitia / Māori Film Industry.