On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
Keisha Castle-Hughes
as Paikea Apirana
Rawiri Paratene
as Koro
Vicky Haughton
as Nanny Flowers
Cliff Curtis
as Porourangi
Grant Roa
as Uncle Rawiri
Mana Taumaunu
as Hemi
Rachel House
as Shilo
Taungaroa Emile
as Willie
Tammy Davis
as Dog
Mabel Wharekawa
as Maka
Rawinia Clarke
as Miro
Tahei Simpson
as Miss Parata
