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Black Power members Dominick Kaiwhata and Pomare Mason were driving an old MK3 to Taneatua after a drinking spree. Their car broke down near Phillip Mason’s drive. Dominick Kaiwhata remained by the car while Pomare Mason went for help. When seeing keys in the ignition of a truck parked on Mason’s drive, Pomare decided to take the truck to tow their vehicle. This act led to the fatal shooting of Dominick Kaiwhata and the attempted shooting of Pomare Mason by Phillip Mason.
Television and news media portrayed Kaiwhata and Mason as wrong-doers. Phillip Mason was acquitted by the justice system and found not guilty of these crimes. Three years on people are still trying to come to terms with the verdict and the Whakatane Maori Community, determined to reel from the white backlash, organised themselves to fight back.
This film focuses on that story and their determination to fight a legal system which failed to deliver justice.
Interviewed: Tom Williams, Maire Williams (Te Roopu Awhina), Koro Aukaha (Kaumatua), Haare Reneti (Kaumatua).