The popular French animated feature Astro Kid is the latest film to be translated into te reo – and its part of a growing trend to both entertain and support Māori audiences.

Disney movies like Moana and the Lion King have already had the treatment, and now audiences can see Tama Kaiātea.

Producer Libby Hakaraia from Otaki’s Maoriland Trust says it’s often the most cost effective way of bringing high quality programs to Māori audiences.

“You know we’re going to be able to see more and more of our epically favourite feature films, take waituhi that exists out there, reversioned into our Māori because we need to see more and we need to hear more of the language used in this way,” she says.

Tama Kaiātea was produced at He Paki Taketake studio, which is staffed by rangatahi who have been trained by the Maoriland Charitable Trust as part of its rangatahi development strategy.