Marae transformed to movie theatre

A large crowd attended the Movies at the Pa event held at Te Puia as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations.Photo / Supplied.

Te Puia was transformed into a picturesque outdoor cinema as part of its 50th birthday celebrations.

Movies in the Pa was held at the tourist attraction on Friday and Saturday night and showcased seven short films, along with Vine videos made by local school students filmed in Te Whakarewarewa Valley.

A large screen was set up at Te Puia's Rotowhio Marae and about 300 viewers were kept warm with blankets and gas heaters to enjoy the movies in comfort.

Movies that were screened included Tribeca Film Festival entry Whakatiki, and the Berlin International Film Festival entry Snow in Paradise.

Short films included The Lawnmower Men of Kapu, winner of the 2012 People's Choice Award at the Wairoa Maori Film Festival, and Hawaikii, directed by Mike Jonathan, of Rotorua production company Haka Boy Films.

The films, which ranged between eight to 15 minutes duration each, had been sourced from Nga Whanaunga Maori Pasifika Shorts, and curated by Leo Koziol, of Wairoa Maori Film Festival, in co-operation from the New Zealand International Film Festival.

"Movies in the Pa was a lovely evening, " said Te Puia general manager sales and marketing Kiri Atkinson-Crean.

"On Saturday there was a good turnout of people who were all enjoying the unique atmosphere in the valley and a special selection of short films.

"It all made for a very special and unique event to help celebrate our 50-year anniversary."

Ms Atkinson-Crean said they had received positive feedback about the event and for the Showbands in the Pa concert on November 30, which was seeing strong interest in ticket sales.