Whale Rider (2003)
In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
Read the Whale Rider feature →- Budget
- $8M
- Box office
- $41.4M
Where to watch Whale Rider
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Showing US. Availability data by JustWatch.
Media
Top billed cast
Full cast & crew →
Keisha Castle-HughesPaikea Apirana
Rawiri ParateneKoro
Vicky HaughtonNanny Flowers
Cliff CurtisPorourangi
Grant RoaUncle RawiriMana TaumaunuHemi
Rachel HouseShilo
Taungaroa EmileWillie
Tammy DavisDogMabel WharekawaMakaRawinia ClarkeMiroTahei SimpsonMiss ParataKeywords
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Viewing momentFrequently asked questions about Whale Rider
What is Whale Rider about?
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
How long is Whale Rider?
Whale Rider has a runtime of 101 minutes.
Where can I watch Whale Rider?
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