Raukura

Raukura is an ambitious, youth-led short film that confronts the rise of extremism in Aotearoa through a bold blend of political thriller, black comedy, and neo-western. The film, directed by Tomás Bale and Leon Eldred and written by Ārana Edmonds, Tomás Bale, and Leon Eldred. It is scheduled for release in October 2026.

SYNOPSIS:

Set in 2036, Raukura imagines a future in which New Zealand has collapsed into a one-party fascist state. Rights have been stripped away as fear of terrorism fuels widespread military crackdowns.

Amid this fractured country, a disgraced young Fascist officer and an escaped Māori prisoner are forced into a tense, volatile standoff in the heart of darkness, as their clashing ideologies ignite. Only one of them will walk away with their humanity intact.

The film exposes the violent machinery of nationalism, the seductive delusion of power.

REASONS TO SUPPORT US:

The core Raukura crew is primarily made up of young people and emerging creatives, many of whom are students from Yoobee College of Creative Innovation and Massey University, allowing this talent to gain hands-on experience within a film production and a clear pathway from student to screen.
 

We are Small Boat, an independent production company based in Wellington. We are focused on developing bold stories and distinctive visuals.

During College, we produced numerous shorts together, and in 2022, we completed our first feature film, the black comedy-crime splatter Sons and Heirs, which had financial support from various community organisations.

The core production crew consists of:

• Ārana Edmonds (21) - Producer, Writer, Production Designer and Practical Effects 
  Edmonds is a filmmaker whose work dates back to 2019 with Hands Off. Edmonds will oversee all stages of Raukura, from development to distribution, and will lead funding efforts.
• Tyree Bowen (24) - Producer, Casting Director and Art Director
  Bowen brings a dual skill set, merging a formal architectural background with experience in film studies and industry-standard set production. This intersection allows Bowen to approach creative projects with design precision and a filmmaker's intuition, making them a versatile practitioner capable of bringing complex, spatial visions to life within the New Zealand arts landscape.
• Tomás Bale (21) - Director, Writer and Storyboard Artist 
  Bale is a creator whose works date back to his childhood in stop motion, and that undeniable passion has been carried through multiple tertiary studies in film, as well as the early works of Small Boat Productions. He has multiple festival awards and a clear upward trend in his portfolio.
• Leon Eldred (20) - Co-Director, Writer, Editor, Storyboard Artist and Original Score
  Eldred is a writer and director with a strong visual sensibility. He has been passionate about filmmaking since he was 8, creating short action films with his friends and siblings. Involved in short films to feature-length films. With a wide range of artistic experience in digital and physical music creation, visual arts/graphic design, and short-form and long-form video content, Eldred is a strong creative force.

CREW:

Due to the project’s limited budget, several crew members will take on multiple roles, allowing the production to maintain a high professional standard while avoiding the overhead costs of a larger, more specialised crew.

• Ārana Edmonds - Producer/Writer/Production Designer/Costume Designer/Practical Effects/Location Manager/Actor
• Tyree Bowen - Producer/Location Manager/Casting Director/Art Director
• Tomás Bale - Writer/Co-Director/Storyboard Artist/Transport Captain/Actor
• Leon Eldred - Writer/Co-Director/Storyboard Artist/Editor/VFX Artist/Composer/Sound Designer/Actor
• Kaitlin Carey - Production Assistant/Extras Casting Director/Actor
• Miles Ryan - Director of Photography/Camera Operator
• Sam Richards - 1ST AD
• Maia Pardoe - 1ST AC
• Eli Pomeroy - 2ND AC/Loader/Key Grip/Best Boy
• Jack Browning - Digital Imaging Technician
• Phil Keenan - Gaffer
• Jackson Gray - Boom Operator/Sound Mixer
• Sasha Crane - Costume Designer/Prop Master/Set Designer
• Hana Riley - Make-up Artist/Hair Stylist
• Tristan Rosales- Colourist
• Sarah Joy -  Still Photographer

Together, this mixed-generation team of emerging and established practitioners brings both technical excellence and deep cultural care to Raukura.

We’ll be raising $2k through Boosted to support:

• Food - We would love to feed everyone on set every day to keep everyone energised and happy! This will include a meal a day and craft service!
• Cast and Crew - We would love to pay our cast and crew a reasonable rate for their hard work and dedication to bringing this film to life!
• Transport - We will need transport to safely and swiftly bring cast and crew to and from set, as well as to transport all the gear we will need for the day.
• Production design (sets, props, costumes, etc.) - As Raukura is set in a fictional fascist New Zealand, the project requires the creation of bespoke props, including flags, armbands, patches, insignia, and costumes for both the Fascists and the Rebels.
• Locations - We would also use the funds to pay for some of the amazing locations we have lined up!
   

Raukura confronts the unsettling reality that extremist ideologies are not confined to the past and can resurface, take root, and gain popularity in modern society through scapegoats, fear and misinformation.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, recent events have shown that we are not immune to the global rise of extremism. Recent developments like the Christchurch Mosque Attacks, Anti-Lockdown Protests at Parliament and Action Zealandia are symptomatic of a rising trend in right-wing extremism in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The film is important because it insists on the necessity of speaking out. By telling our own stories, especially from perspectives that have historically been marginalised, we challenge the narratives that allow fascism to flourish. Storytelling becomes an act of resistance.

Raukura prompts viewers to consider their societal responsibilities and highlights the importance of collective vigilance, compassion, and courage in opposing authoritarianism.

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS!

Even modest contributions make a real difference, no matter how big or small! It goes a long way in helping us make the best film we can. Let’s bring Raukura to screens in 2026 and invite audiences to experience a bold new vision of Aotearoa cinema.