Taika Waititi has addressed the backlash that followed after he said he's not proud of NZ. Photo / Getty Images
Taika Waititi has addressed the backlash that followed after he said he's not proud of NZ. Photo / Getty Images
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Taika Waititi has come under fire after saying New Zealand "has a lot to learn" when it comes to environmental and social issues.
The Kiwi director has been called a "traitor" following his comments earlier this week when he said he is "not proud" to comefrom a place where rivers and waterways are poisoned.
"I'm not very proud of coming from a place that everyone overseas thinks it's this pure, clean, green country but, in reality, all our lakes and waterways are poison," he told TVNZ's Marae.
"We've got a lot to learn about looking after the environment. We've got a lot to learn about our depression rates, our suicide rates, teen suicide rates, child poverty numbers and the housing crisis," the Boy director said.
