A trailer for a television feature film and series based on the award-winning fantasy book - The Bone Tiki - by David Hair has been produced in Rotorua with local teenager Rangi Ngamoki as the main actor.
Haka Boy Films producers Mike Jonathan and Jamus Webster recently completed the trailer forTiki at Mataatua Marae, featuring 30 local people and a dog called Bruno owned by local dog guru Nadine Steele.
They are now looking for funding to produce a television series on the book.
Rangi, 18, also featured in Oscar nominated short film Two Cars, One Night.
Mr Jonathan said the teenager had done a brilliant job.
He said the series told the story of 15-year-old Matiu stealing a tiki from his Nanny Wai at her tangi (funeral) because there is a powerful tohunga makutu (wizard) inside it. His life is turned into a spin and as he runs from a man who wants the toanga (treasure). On his travels he meets a clown called Pania, a dog who turns into a human when it suits and a warrior ghost.
Other creatures from legends also feature in the trailer.
It will appeal to a teenage audience, Mr Jonathan said.
"It's a teenage fantasy. A cross between Twilight and The Power Rangers but not as cheesy."
The producers want it to be made into a series but need financial backing to do so. They've already spent about $10,000 making the trailer.
While they held a concert to help fund the trailer, they were now looking at international funding or investors to make and promote the feature film and series, Mr Jonathan said.
"People are keen to work with us ... We will go overseas to find funding. We think this will be big for New Zealand ... we want people to be blown away by (the film). It's cultural. It's both contemporary and traditional Maori."
