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In a small New Zealand coastal village, Maori claim descent
from Paikea, the Whale Rider. In every generation for more
than 1000 years, a male heir born to the Chief succeeds to
the title.
The time is now. The Chief's eldest son, Porourangi, fathers
twins - a boy and a girl. But the boy and his mother die in
childbirth. The surviving girl is named Pai.
Grief-stricken, her father leaves her to be raised by her
grandparents. Koro, her grandfather who is the Chief, refuses
to acknowledge Pai as the inheritor of the tradition and claims
she is of no use to him. But her grandmother, Flowers, sees
more than a broken line, she sees a child in desperate need
of love.
And Koro learns to love the child. When Pai's father, Porourangi,
now a feted international artist, returns home after twelve
years, Koro hopes everything is resolved and Porourangi will
to accept destiny and become his successor.
But Porourangi has no intention of becoming Chief. He has
moved away from his people both physically and emotionally.
After a bitter argument with Koro he leaves, suggesting to
Pai that she come with him. She starts the journey but quickly
returns, claiming her grandfather needs her. Koro
is blinded by prejudice and even Flowers cannot convince him
that Pai is the natural heir.
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