Lee Tamahori Quotes

1950–2025 New Zealand

Warren Lee Tamahori (22 April 1950 – 7 November 2025) was a New Zealand film director. His feature directorial debut, Once Were Warriors (1994), was a widespread critical and commercial success.

New Zealand
Directors

Random Lee Tamahori quote

6 quotes

This film slotted into the genre I wanted – a tough, gritty, urban-based drama.

Once Were Warriors presskit (1994)

To my mind, it was about Māori losing touch with their roots and their culture.

Once Were Warriors film director Lee Tamahori thought movie would be a flop (2019)

People still meet me in places and go, "I saw your film 20 years ago and I've seen it recently and it still affects me". It's still very flattering.

Once Were Warriors film director Lee Tamahori thought movie would be a flop (2019)

Someone should do a film about white, male Westies. Someone should make a film about white nationalists in Christchurch. We've got things we need to examine. It's time. It's been 25 years.

Once Were Warriors film director Lee Tamahori thought movie would be a flop (2019)

I saw this story had potential and a lot of elements that were of interest to me about New Zealand – social politics, high drama and very interesting characters.

Once Were Warriors presskit (1994)

Once Were Warriors was a huge challenge because it was about a subject that nobody wanted us to make a film about and it was being made from a book by the most controversial author in New Zealand.

Once Were Warriors presskit (1994)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Lee Tamahori (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.