Three evenings of outdoor cinema fun at Takutai Nights

Mean Girls (2004)

Starring Lindsey Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lizzy Caplan, Lacey Chabert, Tina Fey and Amanda Seyfried. Written by Tina Fey. Directed by Mark Waters.  

On Wednesdays, we wear pink. That’s what we’re doing in Takutai Square on Wednesday 12 March to celebrate this outdoor screening of Mean Girls, Tina Fey’s classic teen movie. This iconic high-school drama came out about the same time as Britomart’s regeneration began, so it seemed like the perfect flick to throw back to in our Takutai Nights screenings. Dressing up in pink can pay off: Our judges have four $250 Britomart Black Cards to give away to the best pink outfits. 

Sione's Wedding (2006)

Starring Oscar Kightley, Shimpal Lelisi, Robbie Magasiva, Iaheto Ah Hi, Dave Fane, Pua Magasiva, Teuila Blakely and Nathaniel Lees. Written by James Griffin and Oscar Kightley. Directed by Chris Graham.  

We just had to include this local classic in our Takutai Night series of outdoor screenings. Banned from Sione’s wedding for previous good-time mishaps, four friends need to find dates as a kind of good-behaviour bond to secure themselves an invitation. But the one-month deadline – and the minister’s stipulation that each of the boys arrives at the wedding with a “proper” girlfriend on their arm – creates a whole host of hilarious headaches. 

Mauri Moana - A special celebration with the Māoriland Film Festival  

For our Friday night screenings, we’re teaming up with Ōtaki’s Māoriland Film Festival, the world’s largest annual celebration of indigenous storytelling excellence, to showcase a series of short films by the leading lights of indigenous cinema. Join us for an evening of cinema that speaks to "Ko te mauri, he mea huna ki te moana"—the hidden life force within the ocean. The festival’s leaders will be here to present the films in person. 

Mahika Kai (2023)

Directed by Kieran Ampetyane Satour | 10 mins | Ngāi Tahu, Waitaha 

Set against the wild terrain of Wānaka, MAHIKA KAI follows a family of Kāi Tahu cultural conservators on their mission to rehabilitate disintegrating landscapes through the regeneration of their traditional food gathering practices.

Aikāne (2023)

Directed by Daniel Sousa | 14 mins | Hawai’i, Kanaka Oiwi 

A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. 

Vakaraitaka (2022)

Directed by Fenton Bose Lutunatabua | 15 mins | Fiji 

The recent swells of climate activism in the Pacific are inherently linked with the deep connections of past and future generations.

Pasifika Drift (2023)

Directed by Alana Hicks & Natasha Henry | 12 mins | Papua New Guinea 

When a young Papua New Guinean/Australian man gets involved in a life of crime to provide for his pregnant girlfriend, a proud PNG woman challenges him to reconnect with his heritage. 

Washday (1963)

Directed by Kath Akuhata-Brown | Aotearoa, New Zealand

A simple story about love, in particular the transformative love of a child for a parent. The film brings together simple rituals of daily life in a small Māori family binding them together with the land, water, air and the constant spritual presence of our gods and ancestors.

Standing Above the Clouds (2023)

Directed by Jalena Keane-Lee | Hawai'i

When the massive Thirty Meter Telescope is proposed to be built on Mauna Kea, an uprising of kia'i (protectors) in Hawai'i and around the world dedicate their lives to protecting the sacred mountain from destruction. Through the lens of mothers and daughters in three Native Hawaiian families, Standing Above the Clouds explores intergenerational healing and the impacts of safeguarding cultural traditions.

TheWesternGuide - Siva Mai (2024)

Directed by Samson Rambo | 3 mins | Samoa, Aotearoa

A bilingual love song transcending language barriers with it's infectious energy, grooving percussive Afrobeats, Island-infused strings and R&B melodies, Siva Mai is an alluring invitation from TheWesternGuide to get up and dance. 

The Voyager's Legacy (2022)

Directed by Bailey Poching | 10 mins | Samoa, Aotearoa

Set during the time of the Dawn Raids, The Voyager's Legacy follows the three youngest children of a Samoan family, as they reimagine their bustling Ponsonby home as a magical, whimsical fairytale world of swords and sorcery.

Katele (Mudskipper) (2022)

Directed by John Harvey | 14 mins | Australia

Martha, a Torres Strait Islander woman works tirelessly in a laundromat loading machines and folding washing, ready for the collection of her boss. When a mysterious visitor arrives, Martha is reminded of the life she left behind.

If you're looking for a quick bite or some scrumptious movie snacks on the night, here are some options:

• Enjoy complimentary bags of popcorn
• Pick up free drinks from Almighty from our cocktail cart
• Order takeout from Tyler St Sport's Movie Night Menu
• Order takeout from Mexico
• Wander over to Miann for a sweet treat
• Score a scoop or two from Duck Island

All the Takutai Nights screenings are free. The film screenings will start at 7.30pm, giving you plenty of time to visit your favourite Britomart eating and drinking establishments beforehand. There will be a number of bean bags available, and the lawn on Takutai Square will have room for you to bring your own picnic rugs, cushions and whatever makes you comfortable (please no deckchairs with legs that’ll damage the lawn). Please note the event is alcohol-free (there is no BYO licence for Takutai Square).