We Are Still Here

Lost. I'm lost.

My family.

I will take you to where you need to go.

Riley.

I'm Riley.

I'm Kngwarraye.

Te Mauniko.

There are important people coming to this meeting.

Can't you be more like your brother and sister?

How are we going to find you a white husband

when you walk around dressed like a slave?

Why would I marry a white man

when their war is burning across the land?

There wasn't any war here last time I checked.

Uncle Piripi!

I'll go and get Papa.

You're not dressed yet.

Uncle Piripi and the others are here.

Mama sent me

so you can start the meeting.

She's got you all ready, aye?

She's so annoying.

This gathering's really important.

Aye?

So...

you'll be debating who goes to fight the British Army?

That's if we're even going to join the war.

But surely we have to go and fight.

This is our moment.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

We can't just sit here

pretending nothing is happening.

Otherwise, we'll be next.

They burnt children sheltering in their own church.

Be careful, daughter.

Don't let your head be filled

with every story you're told.

But isn't that why our tribe is gathering?

So you can hear from this one and that one?

What are your three thoughts

about the war?

The voice in my head is your mama's.

"Be careful.

Compromise. Be strategic."

Be bold.

Back our allies.

Meet the monster.

What about your heart?

Well, that's you, my children.

You're my heart.

It's not just me who thinks we should fight.

All of us young ones do.

So if we're your heart,

you should listen to us.

Come. We'd best not keep them waiting.

Get back here!

Come back!

Come back!

I can see you, you Black bastard!

You did this.

You did this.

Na reira kia mau tatou ki ta tatou i oati ai...

ki o tatou hoa

e pakanga nei ratou ki nga Hoia Pakeha

e taoro nei i te ao.

Did Papa tell you what he's going to do?

He didn't say anything.

Surely he'll send help to Maniapoto?

I talked with him.

What did he say?

He will support us.

Not if Mama gets to him first.

These are my thoughts.

Greetings to all who have traveled here.

As my daughter reminded me,

this is a crucial moment.

And so, the arguments for and against

have been debated.

Should we join the war?

For me,

perhaps for all of us,

my heart

is my children

and their children to come.

So I have decided

we must stay here.

Hold our children safe and tight.

Let us be sheltered!

That is my final word.

Brother-in-law,

I respect your authority,

but not your decision.

Sit down!

Your chief has spoken!

You lied to me!

Not now, Te Mauniko.

People are dying!

You said you would listen to me!

To us!

I listened to the innocence of your spirit.

What?

So I'm just a silly girl?!

My chief,

though you turn your back on your allies,

my family will fight!

Even if we must travel alone.

Tūhoe! Stand up!

Feel your anger burn!

Step forward!

It is the bull!

A vast, terrifying bull approaching!

Eating all above!

Devouring all below!

Te Mauniko! Get back!

Only death rules and we are left homeless!

Sustained only by the anger!

The hurt!

The fury!

You need to stop her.

Fire!

Gather together the strength of our children...

...and inspire them to be great.

Then they shall see

the power of our warrior tattoos

as we tear and slash at the heart of our enemy!

And lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom

and the power and the glory forever and ever.

Amen.

Argh!

Peace be upon you.

Wrong way, you bastard!

This is your land.

Your land

This is your land.

Look, your family has returned from the war.

You are entering Cook Imperial Market.

All traders must present their goods to guards for inspection.

Follow marketplace rules at all times.

Level four air contaminations today.

All breaches of rules are punished

with permanent exclusion from the market.

All barter at own risk.

Terrorists still at South Gate.

Avoid at all costs.

Cook Limited invites you to trade quickly and profitably...

Radiation low in covered areas.

Vax passports will be checked.

You are entering at your own risk.

Please be aware of hawkers and thieves.

Management takes no responsibility for your personal welfare.

Oxygen is limited.

Traders have a strict one-hour policy.

Guards have the right...

Adults are responsible for minors.

Follow protocols at all times.

The guards are here for your safety.

Treat them with respect.

All goods are the responsibility of the vendor.

The market accepts no refunds.

Please be aware that you are being watched at all times.

You are entering Cook Imperial Market.

All traders must present their goods

to guards for inspection.

Follow marketplace rules at all times.

Level four air contaminations today.

Terrorists still at South Gate.

Avoid at all costs.

All barter at own risk.

This taonga is for you.

As an old net withers, another is remade.

Koro?

Koro.

Oi! What do you think you're doing?

Got ya, mate.

Argh!

- You're a girl. - Oh, no shit!

Can you see?

Shit. Sorry. I didn't mean to do that.

Well, you did! Now I can't fuckin' see.

Well, you shouldn't be here doing this.

It's all your fault, really.

You a graffiti cop or somethin'?

No. I was told to be here to catch you in the act.

You okay?

No, it fuckin' burns.

Grab my drink bottle from my bag, will ya?

- Please? - Now!

- Where's your manners? - Where's my water?

Here ya. Tilt your head back.

You live up on the roof, eh?

Yep.

Don't ask me any more questions, got it?

Oh, shit.

Here it is.

I'm not mental.

I think we're allowed to be sometimes.

Who?