“My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs.” character Paikea Apirana from the movie based on Witi Ihimaera’s 1987 book, The Whale Rider.

The Whale Rider author is a native of New Zealand’s North Island, a man of Maori descent as is the characters in his book. The Whale Rider was made into a movie that premiered in 2002. It is the story of a little girl, Paikei Apirana, nicknamed Pai, who has the weight of the world on her shoulders for being the only living child in line to be chief after her twin brother dies at birth along with her mother. Traditionally, as her tribe’s tradition dictates, the status of chief is reserved for men.

Her father, likely deemed a failure for neglecting his status as the next heir, abandons his daughter to the care of his disappointed father and his saddened mother where over time it is obvious that Pai has built a strong bond with her grandfather who still rebels against the possibility that although she is a female perhaps she is the chosen leader of the Maori tribe.

The grandmother is a strong woman character in this film that supports her granddaughter and has issues with her husband and his tribal traditions. Between her and her youngest son, Pai’s uncle who is also dismissed as not important being the youngest son, they support Pai’s interest in learning what is expected of a chief of the Maori tribe. The beauty in all this is it is not something Pai claims as rightfully hers, it is an answer to a natural call to duty.

Whale Rider is wonderfully presented from the acting and narration of Keisha Castle-Hughes as Paikea Apirana, to the beautifully presented land and seascapes of New Zealand, the tribal chants and the representation of the Maori tribe. The Australian actress Keisha Castle-Hughes is a charmer and has acted in other movies including as Mary in the 2006 movie The Nativity Story and more notably as Queen of Naboo in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2005.

It is interesting to note that one of the facts about the movie mentioned at IMDB.com was that “Much of the film is about Paikea doing traditional Maori things which women were not supposed to do (e.g. sitting in the canoe, fighting). The film cast and crew performed special Maori chants in order to ward off traditional bad luck that might arise from Keisha Castle-Hughes doing the things as part of the film.”

This movie was endearing, humorous, and very appropriate for our daughters and all members of the family. It had a true message of leadership especially in the way of gender roles and the gracious way some women, young and old alike, can address similar situations in their lives.