Earlier this week, Ōpōtiki College cadets were privileged to attend a private premiere screening of Sgt. Haane, a powerful story honouring legacy of the 28th Māori Battalion.

It was a night to remember with the cadets also getting to meet actor James Rolleston at the screening.

From international award-winning writer and director Tearepa Kahi (Muru, Poi E: The Story of Our Song, Mt Zion) Sgt. Haane tells the story of Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi DCM (Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa) of B Company, 28th Māori Battalion (September 28, 1913-March 29, 1986).

It is being released nationwide on April 30, but Eastern Bay audiences have the opportunity to attend preview screenings this weekend at Ōpōtiki’s DeLuxe Theatre and Whakamax in Whakatāne.

The film will screen at the DeLuxe on Saturday at 5.30pm and on Monday at 6.30pm.

It screens at Whakamax on Saturday and Sunday at 3.50pm and on Monday at 2.50pm.

This is a never-told-before story of Sergeant Haane whose bravery was described by Lieutenant General Sir Brian Horrocks as “the most gallant feat of arms I witnessed in the course of the war”, culminating in the 1943 attack on the heavily fortified pinnacle of Takrouna, Tunisia.

At five minutes to midnight on April 19, 1943, Haane Manahi led a small group of B Company soldiers, all cousins, in an assault up the near-vertical limestone pinnacle of Takrouna, defended by more than 300 enemy troops. By morning, after severe casualties and the collapse of the chain of command, Haane took charge, repelling repeated counterattacks in hand-to-hand combat to secure the critical strategic position for the Allies.

The film stars Alex Tarrant (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, NCIS: Hawai’i, DMV) as Haane Manahi, alongside Niwa Whatuira (The Dark Horse, A Mistake, M3GAN 2.0), Vinnie Bennett (Whina, F9: The Fast Saga, Human Traces), Matuera Ngaropo (Whina) and Poroaki Merritt-McDonald (Muru, The Gone).

Their performances are interwoven with the voices of Māori Battalion descendants including Dr Donna Morrison, Kīngi Biddle, Colin Bennett, Raimona Inia, and Anaru Grant Jr.