New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island), and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands

Whale Rider is a drama film directed by Niki Caro in New Zealand in 2002. It is based on the novel of the same name by Witi Ihimaera. The main actress of the film is Keisha Castle Huges as Kahu Paikea Apirana, a 12-year-old girl who would like to become the chief of the tribe.

•Keisha Castle-Hughes as Paikea Apirana•Rawiri Paratene as Koro Apirana•Vicky Haughton as Nanny Flowers•Cliff Curtis as Porourangi•Grant Roa as Uncle Rawiri

The film had a budget of NZ$9,235,000. It received $2.5 million from the New Zealand Film Production Fund

Haka is a traditional dance form of the Māori of New Zealand.

Pai is a Maori girl after her father's trip abroad, she lives with her grandparents on an island in New Zealand.

When Pai was born, his mother and his twin brother, who was destined to be the new leader of his people,

died during childbirth.

•The film won a number of international film-festival awards, including:

•The Toronto International Film Festival 's AGF Peoples Choice award in September 2002

•The World Cinema Audience award at the January 2003 Sundance Film Festival in the United States

•The Canal Plus Award at the January 2003 Rotterdam Film Festival .

• Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance, becoming the youngest actress nominated for the award. She Was 13 years old at the time.