Libby Hakaraia

Elizabeth Anne Hakaraia is a New Zealand film producer, director, and author.

Biography Hakaraia was raised in Lower Hutt and started her broadcasting career at Radio Waikato when she was 17 years old. When she was 20, she moved to Radio Aotearoa and later to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. After some time living and working in Europe she returned to New Zealand and worked on National Radio’s Māori magazine show Whenua.

In the later 1990s Hakaraia began researching, producing, writing and directing documentaries and television series. In 2004 she founded her own production company, Blue Bach Productions.

Hakaraia has been a jury member at ImagineNATIVE, the world’s largest indigenous film festival, and an executive member of Screen Production and Development Association and Ngā Aho Whakaari. 2018 The Gravedigger of Kapu Short film Director and writer 2017 My Party Song (first episode) Television series episode Co-director and producer 2016 Ra'satste Short film Executive producer 2013–2015 My Country Song Television series Producer 2013 The Prophets Television documentary Director 2012 Requiem for Charlie Television documentary Producer 2009 Makereti Television documentary Director 2009 Kehua Short film Producer 2008 The Lawnmower Men of Kapu Short film Director and writer Winner, People's Choice Award: Wairoa Māori Film Festival, 2012 2006 Fat Freddy's Drop – Based on a True Story Television documentary Producer and director 2006 New Brighton Road Television documentary Producer 2005 Manhattan Māori Television documentary Director 2005 Whangai – Who Gets Baby? Television Producer and director 2004 Rediscovering the Lost Songs of Sir Apirana Ngata Television documentary Producer and director 2003 Gang Kids Television film Director Winner, TV/Film Award: Media Peace Awards, 2004 2002 Chinks, Coconuts and Curry-munchers Television documentary Director 2001–2003 Mercury Lane Television series Director 2001 Ihi Frenzy Television documentary Director 2001 Trip of a Lifetime Television Director Publications

Hakaraia, L. (2008). Matariki: The Māori New Year. North Shore, N.Z: Raupo. Hakaraia, L., & Urlich, C. W. (2008). Te kahui o Matariki: Contemporary Māori art for Matariki. North Shore City, N.Z: Raupo. Hakaraia, L. (2004). Matariki. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed.

Personal life Hakaraia's iwi are Ngāti Kapumanawawhiti, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Te Āti Awa. Her partner is film producer Tainui Stevens.