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Last updated: 30 Jun 2026 at 03:14 UTC

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Review of by Maya B — 16 Sep 2012

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The movie begins when a mother loses her life giving birth to her two children (twins, boy and girl). The boy who is believed to be the next leader of the Whangara people also loses his life in a complication during birth. There is a legend that the Whangara people came to this island over 700 years ago and their chief/leader Paikea was brought to the island safely on the back of a whale.

The little girl (Pai) survives. Her father is unable to handle the grief and Pai is left with her grandfather and grandmother for them to take care of. Pai's grandfather (Koro) says time and time again in the movie that she (Pai) is a disappointment and he has no use for her. As the days go by Pai will prove to her grandfather that she is a strong person and capable of leading her tribe. Many of indigenous religions believe that the male is to be the leader of the tribe and the female only play a supporting role, but, in the movie Pai proves to be a strong leader and strives to become the next chief.

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This review of Whale Rider (2003) was written by on 16 Sep 2012.

Whale Rider has generally received positive reviews.

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