Thomas Jonker On The Road – Kiwi, Lagoons, and Maori

In his five-part documentary ‘Thomas Junker on the road – Kiwis, Lagoons & Maori’, the MDR filmmaker takes his viewers on a breathtaking journey to the Cook Islands and New Zealand.
The Cook Islands in the Polynesian part of the Pacific Ocean are home to the Maori people, as the indigenous people there are called in the world of turquoise lagoons. Then Thomas Jonker visits the country that the Maori discovered more than 700 years ago during one of their expeditions: New Zealand.

Once again, encounters with people and their everyday lives are the meaning and aim of Thomas Juncker’s series of documentaries. The focus is on the everyday lives of ordinary people. how they work, what they think, what their culture looks like and what they believe in; What do they desire and what motivates them. their hopes and dreams.

Through the film, viewers will learn about the culture and traditions of the people of the Cook Islands and New Zealand, especially the history of the Maori, the indigenous people of both countries. There are also many stories about kiwi, as not only fruits and birds are called today, but also the white inhabitants of New Zealand.

In the fourth part, the journey continues to New Zealand, which was discovered and settled by the Maori in the Cook Islands more than 700 years ago. Thomas Junker examines how Māori live today, and where their culture is located. He also reports on a breeding station for the kiwi, New Zealand’s national animal, and visits the main site of the legendary “Lord of the Rings” set.

With the postman and his ship we pass through Marlborough Sound. Stories about New Zealand wine and a photo of Christchurch completed this episode.