Movement of the people : the second great Māori migration, Rogernomics and other influences behind my creative work “Exodus.” : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Creative Writing in Fiction at Massey University, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 31st July 2026

Abstract

My thesis consists of 2 parts: The first part is a critical essay that explores the key historical, political and creative influences that inspired the genesis and development of my creative work. As the supporting document to my creative work, this essay provides a platform for me to wananga and engage with the ideas and insights that has gone into my creative process. My essay also gets to the heart of why my story spoke to me, and my intentions behind writing it. It also answers my research question: how has the social impact of neoliberalism, in particular Māori unemployment, been depicted in films made by Māori filmmakers? The second part of my thesis is a creative work that takes the form of a television screenplay. Te Aroha, is the fourth episode of Exodus, a limited series that I am developing. The overall theme of Exodus is the intergenerational impact of government policies on one Māori whanau from 1961 to 2023. Te Aroha, is set in the mid-1990s and features a younger generation of the whānau. The main focus of the episode explores the social impact neo-liberal government policies of the 1990s had on whānau Māori, in particular sole parents on a benefit.