Te Manaia is a mythological creature in Māori culture, with the tail of a fish, the body of a man and the head of a bird. It is believed to be present in each of us as a guardian angel, and also to accompany us on our journey from life, through death and into the afterlife. It also represents the essential balance between heaven, the earth and the sea.
Manaia Productions strives to provide an understanding of humanity’s relationship with the natural world by seeking to bridge the systemic gap between our built civilisation and the natural world. By focusing on factual storytelling, our films tell the story of building a better balance in our world through scientific knowledge, management practices, and spirituality.
Using principles of environment and ocean literacy but also traditional nature science documentary filmmaking techniques, Manaia Productions builds upon scientific evidence and socio-economic realities to convey stories about nature, with a deeper meaning intended for wide audiences. We do so working with key scientific, academic institutions and agencies, reinforcing ecosystem-based approaches to conservation and advocating for the fundamental balance we must reach in our relationship with nature and biodiversity.
