(RHYTHMIC ELECTRONIC MUSIC) - Growing up in Waitara was pretty hard, but as you get older, things kinda change. Like, I wanna be a city boy. I'm not, like, this little country pumpkin. (CHUCKLES) - # Who are you? # Do you care? - I don't think Waitara deserves me. (GIGGLES) That's conceited, but I've got more to give. (PEOPLE CHATTING) - A lot of people around my age ` they're still figuring out where they wanna be, what they wanna do. (CROWD CHEERS) We're going through a stage where we're just doing all the stupid things allowed. Coming to that pinnacle in your life where you know what you want and where you're going. - Being a 22-year-old, you can make it easy or hard for yourself. (COW MOOS) Here you go. I have time for a social life, but I just prefer to stay home and then feel good the next day so I can get stuff done. He'll be going to the freezer soon. Then we'll get another one once we eat her up. I do get a bit lonely. (CHUCKLES DRYLY) I mean, if anyone's out` Nah. (LAUGHS) - All this talk about travel ` there are times that I'm not sure if I want to go anymore or when I'm gonna go. You can have plans and you can have goals, but sometimes life gets in the way. Like, I'd love a kid, I'd love a mini-Axel, man, and I reckon I'd be the best dad out there. But I'm just not ready yet. (RHYTHMIC ELECTRONIC MUSIC CONTINUES) www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2020 # That's what it seems. # Running free. # (BIRDS CHIRP) - Eden! Oh, my` (LAUGHS) AMERICAN ACCENT: I'm Kourtney ` Kourtney K. That is so gross. Mom! (CHUCKLES) - What kind of clothes do you wanna wear? - I don't know. Surprise me. Think of something. - Yeah, found it. - Spider-Man? I'm from Waitara. I work at a supermarket. And I'm actually about to do an audition in Auckland. Like, it's wicked. Do you reckon I'll get laid in this outfit? - Nah. - I'm quite nervous, so today's gonna be a bit of a creative dress-up day. - # ...team in here, got 'em boolin'. # We don't need no man to cool it. # Take one shot, two shot, now you're talking. # Loosen up a little, do a sidestep. # Ballin'. # - (LAUGHS) 'Eden's probably one of the only friends of mine that would go full-out front with me, 'especially with costumes.' So I want, like, to find something that's nice, silver and greenish. - What are you ` a boy elf or a girl elf? - A gay elf. Can you put this on my ear? Do I look like an elf? Do I` Does it look ugly? - Nah, but you've just gotta find your outfit now. - Ooh, I look quite nice as an elf. I need a bow and arrow. (IMITATES ARROW FIRING) (GRUNTS) - OK, what dress? Come pick a dress that you think... - Should I just try it on? - Yeah, try it on. - 'It's gonna open doors for me. Like, I've had dreams of just becoming, 'like, an actual icon in our small town.' What is this? This is not elf. - Oh, that's actually metal. Be careful. - (EXCLAIMS) 'I can definitely picture myself living in Auckland and making 'my dream become a reality because I've wanted it for so long.' I know it's gonna be a big change for me, but, like, if I'm really wanting to, like, be on a movie or something like that or achieve my goals, I'm probably gonna have to move, oi. I can't stay here. I will protect this land. I will protect` (OBJECT CLATTERS) I will protect this land. I will protect this people` these people. 'Yeah, my best friend's always been there for me. She looks after me. 'She worries a bit too much, which is OK, I guess, but that's what friends do.' - You're pretty confident though. - I am confident. Yeah, so... moving up there. - Yeah, I don't want you to go, but... you gotta, like, do... WHISPERS: what you have to do. - 'Yeah, I'm worried about my mate. When she needs a shoulder to cry on, I'm usually there.' Our bond is everlasting, girl. (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) - Yeah, you're my only friend. - Oh, shush. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) But I have to go. I'm working at a supermarket for crying out loud. - So? (CHUCKLES DRYLY) At least you've got a job. - Yeah, humble about that. - Some people don't have jobs. - You have a point. 'If I was to relocate from Waitara to Auckland, it's definitely gonna be a massive leap for me, 'but I really need to, like, get out of here.' Let's go get shitfaced. Should I wear this downtown? (CHUCKLES) - You're not allowed to take those. - (VOCALISES GENTLY) Eye fillets. I got the promotion, people. I got the big promotion, so I ended up moving from grocery into butchery, and man, it's good. Too true, good sir. Too true. 'I've gotta meet a whole lot of new, amazing workers, 'but, um, recently me and my family went through a big loss.' My uncle Tyrone ` he passed away due to very aggressive cancer. - Sup, G. - Everything all good? - How's it going? - Yeah. - Yeah, G, I heard about, um, your uncle's funeral, G. Sorry about that, eh. Straight up. - Cheers, brother. (EXCLAIMS) I even had to... - Yeah, G. - ...lower him down and, oh,... - It was pretty big, eh? - ...I broke down. - They went up to the rugby, G. - Oh, yeah. Heaps of people were there. They all know my uncle. - Well, my G. Keep on keeping on. - I'll tell you one thing, man. Ever since Uncle's passed, eh, I've been feeling down as. - Actual? - Yeah, cos he was my mum's baby brother. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. - He was the youngest in the family and... You know, just looking after my mum. The last thing she wants to do is see us like that or having to bury one of us first. Yeah, they all said it's meant to be the other way around. - Well, you're blessed to have people like that around you, G. Straight up. - Yeah, man. Well, I'm looking after my mum the best I can. The loss was very difficult for my mother. Just being there... at the tangi with mum and that, just seeing what they were like ` I was shattered. I couldn't handle none of it. - Do you find that coming to work, like, kinda just helps you just focus on that? - Oh, yeah. As soon as I came back through these doors, man, the spark lit and I was away. - Oh, mean. - Had a big smile on my face again and came in... I'm back. I'm back, baby. - (LAUGHS) - Let's go. - Let's go. (BOTH EXCLAIM, CHUCKLE) - Oh, I got the one with the broken wheel. - Do the mahi, get the treats. (CHUCKLES) - Do the mahi, get the treats. (BOTH LAUGH) There's a lot of anger that's cooped up inside my body, but I'm not willing to let it all out ` not without a fight at least. And sometimes music can help me. (SINGS IN TE REO MAORI) (APPLAUSE) - Yeah, boy! Hi! Hi! - 'It feels relieving getting those first words out. 'That stress and anger just floats away 'into the steam and disappears.' - Or think you can demand their love and respect. - But it is OK to ask for help. (RHYTHMIC MUSIC) - Gloomy. I haven't really seen Jarn, my twin brother, in a while. It's better in small bursts. He had to move away because he was getting into too much trouble with all the gang shit. He's, like, in Auckland now, doing what Jarn does best ` running. (CHUCKLES) It makes me sad sometimes, but hopefully when he figures himself out, he might come back to us. Growing up, me and Jarn were actually quite close. Like, he was, like, my little protector. Yeah. Things changed as we got older. - Knock, knock. - (LAUGHS) Hey, stranger. - Wow, you got fat. - I didn't get fat. - CHUCKLES: You're overweight, brother. - When are you gonna come home? Or are you not allowed to? - Nah, probably for, like, Christmas, eh? - Like, what happened? Why did you leave? - Get away from bullshit that I caused, eh. - Yeah, you could've stayed with us. You just didn't wanna follow rules. - No, yeah. - You just didn't like structure. - Structure? - Rules. (POOL BALLS CLACK) - Little bit of a neckpiece, bro. - Bro, it goes all the way down to my chest. You better catch up. I thought you were gonna be more tatted than me. - I will. I'm not 30 yet. I said... (POOL BALLS CLATTER) ...I'll be done when I'm 30. - 30. My whole body will be done when I'm 30. - Good game, mate. - He was in a car accident about two years ago and was put on life support for over two weeks. He got a second chance. He's doing good now ` well, goodish. (CHUCKLES) - Oh, fuck, I actually remember when it happened. Your sister called me, bro. She was like, 'He was in a crash.' Bro, I thought you died, and I was like, 'Fuck,' and started crying myself. - We were, like, at the hospital for a week. - Was he in a coma then? - Yeah, for, like, two weeks after his crash. It was probably one of the harder parts in our lives. And I didn't really go in his room (CHUCKLES WRYLY) cos I was too scared to look at him. Though one day, I decided to go say hi to Jarn. The first thing he did was look at me and just say, 'My brother.' And that was, like, his first words, first time he ever spoke since his crash. - That's crazy, man. - Straight up. - Like, no matter how much we may say we hate each other, we're, like, really, really protective. The week after the crash, I saw the driver, like, having the time of his life. And he was just laughing. I was like, boom, and I grabbed a bottle, and I, like, smashed it right on his head. And he was like, 'What the fuck did you do that for?' I was like, 'You know Jarn? 'That's my fucking brother.' (CHUCKLES) - Yo, bruv. Love you. - Sometimes. (CHUCKLES) (GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC) I think Jarn's trying. Like, he's actually waking up and realising that, you know, life isn't always about drugs and gangs. Life is about family and, you know, doing good for yourself and helping yourself. - If something goes wrong, send me 200 bucks, at least. - Why would I send you $200? - Fuck, I'll pay you back though. - No, you won't. - Honest. - You never do. - Honest. I just might need. - For what? - Get to Nans. - Give you` (GRUNTS) I'll pay for you to come home. That's it. - Aw, not Nanas? Case closed. - Well, come home when you're ready. - Nah, fuck it, bro. - Always trying to hustle the hustlers, eh. - Well, fuck it. - (CHUCKLES) - Jesus. - I think he's doing a little bit better than he was before, but, you know, he's still a bit of an idiot and needs to learn lessons. (LOW-KEY MUSIC) - 'So, I've landed this new job. It's awesome. It's everything I could have asked for. 'It feels like I'm putting a glove on. Like, it's just` it is home.' Now, it is heavy, and it's not gonna be very fun. - MAN: Ready? Three, two, one. - STRAINED: How's that, boys? - Come on, big fulla. - STRAINED: Now, up. Yup. Hold it there. Up on to that chassis. Three, two, one. STRAINED: Yup. Easy. Whoo. Just gotta watch that main point, bro,... - Yeah, yeah. - ...cos that's gonna catch our lunge. Trucks are fucking pretty cool, eh? You hop in one, you can't help but feel pretty cool. They're massive, man, and they go (IMITATES TRUCK HISSING). Uh, would you like a regular or a king-sized motherfucker? (CHUCKLES) I definitely think the big boy pants actually fit me now. Tried them on last year and they didn't quite fit and that's why I was still a bit of an idiot. Did you hear that click? (MACHINE WHIRRS) That's torqued up to spec, yo. Holy fuck, I've got a` I've got a work ethic. - Are you ready to think about settling down soon? - Are you trying to marry me, are you? - Well, you're working at Aitken's now, so you're fucking winning. - Yes, I'm doing well, eh. Look how far I've come in a year. - Exactly. You're fixing Kenworths. - Yeah. Nah, this job, sort of, changed me around a bit, eh? I dunno. I just wanna focus on work. I don't really wanna focus on women, eh? - Oh, what? You didn't tell me it was the end of that for you. - Yeah. (CHUCKLES) Yeah, I just got my head screwed on and... yeah. Yeah, definitely think I've grown up. It's got that much polish on it. It'll blow off as soon as` - Nah, nah, fold it over this way. - Grandad's Mustang ` the pride and joy. Is there no` Can you get these, but with a bit more lunge to them? - Uh, you can, but they're only a 4.6. You can put a blower on it. - Oh, yeah. - 'I know Grandad so well and I know his advice so well that sometimes I don't go to him for advice 'cos I already know the answer and I don't wanna hear it.' - You've gotta find a lady who doesn't drink a hell of a lot. - Nah, leave the ladies out of things too. - (CHUCKLES) - Yup. I'm being a good boy. - Yes. I wonder why (?) - CHUCKLES: Yeah. - Yeah. - Always get in trouble, mate. It's either my fucking winky or my left foot. Nah, just give it a break for a bit, get the clear head, and that way, there's no strings if I do wanna travel. - Yeah. - It's a lot of holdbacks, really, eh? - Think you will get into travel now you've got the money? - Because this job's going so well and I'm actually, like, in a good place and really enjoying it, I'd be quite inclined to stay for a year or so, but I definitely, definitely want to travel. It's just` Yeah, it's a matter of when. Sometimes in life, you don't get what you want. - Well, it's only you get what you make it. - Yeah. - You know, if you don't get off your arse and get out there soon, you'll be like a lot of our bloody victims of this bloody town. - Yeah. - And next thing, you're settled down and life's gone past you, you know? - Hmm. Yeah. - There's a whole world out there, eh? - Hmm. - I am very worried that I might not get the chance to travel. I think Grandad's pushing me as he's pushed me in everything I've ever done. - Eilish, was she` Eilish, the one in the picture, or...? - Yeah, look` Oh, we still hear from her and we still, yeah, talk to each other and things like that, but... nah. She's` We're friends. - Oh, yeah. - Yeah. And when I get something I don't like stuck in my head, it's fucking` it's stuck there for weeks, you know, and it's just everything you do ` all it is, is right there in the back of your head. So it's just... It's all there. You feel the stress. I've had a full backpack for the last couple of years with girls, eh? So it's time to just take it off and leave it on the doorstep for a bit, man. Yeah. Need to pull my head in. Focus on my goals. - Try that. - You really didn't... Whoo! - (LAUGHS) (ATMOSPHERIC HIP-HOP MUSIC) - In times of struggle, I've always had music. It could just keep me, uh, looking forward instead of looking backwards. I'm looking at life in a better light. Each day for me is just another steeping stone, another opportunity just to enjoy life. - WOMAN: Do you want a vodka? - Do I want a vodka? Are you getting ice? (SYNTH MUSIC) (BOTH CHUCKLE) Today's Rosie's birthday, and, yeah, it's a huge reminder. Six years is how long I've been in a chair now, which is an unbelievable thing for me just because, as I've gone along this road, this journey, she's been there every step of the way. - Hi, Rosie. - Give us a cuddle. Give us a cuddle. Did you see? - Wow, look! - Oh my goodness. - She's only ever known me to be like this. - What are these? Wow! Yes. - (CHUCKLES) - Yes. - Oh, they're cute! - She's always a reminder of that time and also a reminder of the future for us and our bros. - Oh my God! - Come on. - Come on, rip it. - Help her. - Oh! (EERIE MUSIC) - When I was about 13 years old, me and my mates wanted to go for a swim. I remember diving into the water vividly. When I dove into the water, I didn't know there was a bank there. My head hit the bank, and I was instantly paralysed. I remember officially waking up and just realising I'm at Middlemore Hospital. I was laying there, and outside the curtain, my dad ` he was crying. And then, my mum, she said, 'You better stop crying. 'That fucking boy ` he's in the bed and you aren't. There's no reason for us to cry. 'He's stronger than` He's strong enough to take this.' Hearing that gave me a driving force cos she stayed strong for me and I stay strong for them, so... (LOW-KEY MUSIC) Pain and suffering ` they help you grow and understand the world around you. So when you go out into the real world, you're never really fazed by anything. (GENTLE MUSIC) - I'd just got a new job, doing cleaning, cooking ` all that kind of stuff. SHARPLY: Hurry up. And I just broke up with my boyfriend. It just happened in the blink of an eye, like, just... (CHUCKLES) And I thought we were gonna be forever. He said that we're done. I still love him. (CHUCKLES TEARFULLY) I do love him and his two kids. Sit. I just wanna see if I have a future, or if there's something out there that I need to know, or... yeah. - Welcome to your reading. - Thank you. My hands are sweating. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY) - Oh, no` - I just got a job. - (GASPS) - I wanna know, like, if this is gonna go anywhere. I start on Monday. 8 till 8. - Oh, wicked. - $22 an hour. - (EXHALES) Yeah, you could be, 'Yes, I'm keen,' and then come to the day, 'Nah.' - 'Nah, I don't wanna do it.' - Right. - Yeah, that's what I've been feeling. - Right. You have to get your big girl panties on, and I do think you're going to take this journey. You do need to establish a settled life, so... - Stability. - Stability, right, right. - Yeah. - And this is` - That's what I've always wanted. - Right. Look at where you've come from and how strong you've actually become. - Yeah. That's what I say, like, before I go to sleep. 'You're strong, you're brave, and you're beautiful.' (CHUCKLES) - I mean, babe, you've got no babies. You've got no partner. - Yeah. (CHUCKLES) - The world is your oyster. - I thought it was gonna be forever with the partner I had. - But you're only 20! - I know. I know, I know. - (LAUGHS) Let` - But I loved his kids, that's why. - Right. - I've always wanted my own little creation and to love them how I would want my mum to love me. - You'll meet a few men, but you know how you're watching those love movies and they` - Yup. (CHUCKLES) - Boom. - When you first` Yeah. - That's what you're looking for. - That's what I want. I've always watched love movies and they're going to kiss and then they flick their feet up. (CHUCKLES) - Pop. You'll actually get the moment to feel that. Actually feels like you're going to meet someone out of here, so when you're travelling. - Out of Waitara? - Like, out of Taranaki. - Yeah. Whoa. - You are making` You are actually on the right path where you wanna go and where you're meant to be. Yeah, you got this, babe. - Mm-hm. (CHUCKLES) I just want to be better, happier ` just, yeah, upgrade my life. I just feel like it's going somewhere now. Like, before, I just think, 'Oh, fuck it. 'Fuck life. You only live once.' But now, I'm like, 'Actually, I need a path.' 'I need to get on a path or something.' (ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC) - 'It feels very, very unreal that everything is going according to plan.' Excuse me! Can you please press that button for me? 'I think the world is ready for me.' Thank you for waiting. '100%.' Do you like my walk? (LAUGHS) 'Move aside, bitches. I'm here.' Hi. 'Mate, I've got talent. You gotta watch out.' Hi. 'There's some real new shit in town.' Hi. '(GIGGLES)' This has definitely been my biggest dream ` getting an audition in Auckland. So, yeah, I'm quite nervous. I know I don't wanna fuck it up, cos, shit. If that happens, well, back to level one I go again. Yeah. We'll just have to see how it goes, I guess. I just don't know. (EERIE MUSIC) I woke up during the middle of night,... and time passed and there were these strange shadows. I began having troubling thoughts about my life ` something about it not real. Full of deceptions, but these... these deceptions had become so many and so much a part of me that I... couldn't even tell who I was, really. Really was. Ah. Shit. Sorry. (CHUCKLES) Sorry. - No, no, no, no. - I got cut off. - No, no, no. - I forgot a line. - So` No, that's fine. So, whenever you're in an audition,... - Yeah. - ...it is always best to just muddle through. - Keep going. - Don't go, 'Oh my God, sorry.' - (CHUCKLES) Yeah. I really want to try and get into acting. - Um... When you become an actor and you go to drama school and you learn about the... the way of being natural in a fake environment. You're not having to think that that person is trying to remember their lines, going to the set, and be, you know, like they've just... - It comes out naturally with` Yeah. - Yeah. It's one thing to say that you want to be an actor, but have you been to drama school? Have you done any study? - No. - And you understand that obviously most of the work is in Auckland. - Yeah. - If you end up going to drama school, then obviously you'll move here anyway. And so, you know, that would be an excellent journey for you. - Next step. Yeah. - And I mean, you can go back as a mature student. You know, there's nothing to say that you can't start a little bit later. - Yeah. I think I'll check out Toi Whakaari. Is it` - In Wellington. I think that's a three-year course. So Toi Whakaari's three years, but it's better that you apply and fail than not apply at all. Yeah. If you wanna be an actor, you've gotta go. - You've gotta do what` Yeah. OK. Totally. - Cool. All right, my darling. Nice to meet you. - Lovely to meet youse. - Take it easy. - Youse too. - See you. Bye-bye. - Have a good day. - Have a lovely rest of the day. - I will, and same to you as well. - And awesome to meet you. - Lovely to` - We'll talk soon. - We will. - (GIGGLES) Bye, Leon. - See you later. Thank you. (CAR REVVING DISTANTLY) (PEOPLE CHATTERING) - I wonder if I look like Uncle DJ in this? - Oh, shut up. - You're gonna be fine. You are just brilliant. OK? - I'm flattered, thank you. (CHUCKLES) So tonight, whanau, I'm gonna be singing Mum by Prince Tui Teka. - How's the nerves? - Pretty chill. Pretty down there. - Yeah, relax, man. - Wait until I go outside. Ah! But the last thing I wanna try and do is have an accidental voice crack. (GIGGLES) (IMITATES VOICE CRACKING) This song's gonna mean a lot to me and my family because recently we went through a loss with our uncle. She doesn't like to show it, but it's affected my mum very heavily. For me, it's pretty difficult trying to keep all those feelings locked in. You need to put enough feelings out there so that people can understand the amount of pain that you're going through, because if you just lock it up, no one's going to understand. People are just going to think, 'Oh, yeah, he's just singing a song. Big deal.' - All righty. Hi. Welcome, everyone. It's lovely to see you. It's a special night for us tonight. How about a big, warm welcome for our guest artist, Kuru O'Carroll? (APPLAUSE) - Kia ora, everyone. My name is Kuru Waiwai-O'Carroll, and it's a big honour to be here tonight in front of you guys because me and my family, we went through a loss. It was my mum's youngest brother who passed away from liver cancer last week on Friday, and, um... Yeah, I would like to tribute this song to my whanau and my mum. 'You can just feel a certain feeling in the room' once those first lyrics come out and you put in your emotions. People understand and they'll` they'll feel that pain. # O Mum, # I love you. # Yes, I do. (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) # Please wait # for me, Mum. # I'll be home # very soon. # I never knew # just how much # you meant to me # till now. # You're so many # miles away # across the sea. # Whoa. # Only God knows # where or when # we'll meet again (APPLAUSE) # to hold # you in my arms # once more. 'Back when I was younger, I didn't see my mother the way that I do now. 'She's always been that one pillar holding up all that heavy weight, 'and now it's time for me to take off that weight and share it evenly.' Don't cry on me. (GIGGLES) # I... The reason why I think I'm here is basically to protect and care for every single living person on Earth. # God, please do keep # my mum. # It's a heavy burden, but as long as I can protect them, I'll be happy. (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) - That's where Beyonce jumped off. (SINGS) 'All the single ladies.' CHUCKLES: And then she just jumped off. Future me is sorted, so I wanna have some fun. Going on a date. - With that one you're talking to? - Yeah. (SQUEALS) He's coming to see me. - Remember, it's not Waitara and not everybody knows you there. You don't have us driving beside you, going, 'Fuck off!' - Nah, we're just gonna have some drinks, get to know one another, have kids, and then I'm probably gonna get the pension. 'I never thought that this would actually happen in my life.' What do I need? 'It'll be my first actual date I've ever had. 'I'm fucking excited!' (GASPS) Oh my God, is that him? 'But, yeah, I'm very nervous. I don't want to fuck anything up.' - Hello. (CHUCKLES) - Hi. - How are you? Finally! - Hi. - Hello. - Ohh. - It's good to finally meet you. - Oh my God. (BOTH CHUCKLE) - And it's good. You're tall. - You're tall! - Yeah... - I'm... (LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) OK, do you want a drink? - Yeah. - I got so nervous. - Yeah. (BOTH GIGGLE) - Yeah, I think I'm ready to leave home. I know that some people are like, 'What are you still here for in Waitara?' - Yeah. - I'm like, 'Cos it's my home. I'm from Waitara.' - Yeah. - And it'll always be my home. Yeah, it's a fucking shithole, but it's my shithole. Cos I love that town so much. - Yeah. - And I need to get the fuck out of there because I'm not really... And I will. I will. Yep, I will. Yeah, I will. I will. Cheers, big ears. - Cheers. The only thing that's holding me back is just friends, family, my mum, but I'll be all right. They'll all be all right. Yeah. (ACOUSTIC GUITAR MUSIC) (BOTH GIGGLE) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Being a teenager is difficult. You wanna be a big kid, but you still feel like you have to mature. - Don't burn it. - Like` Oh! CHUCKLES: I don't want to grow up any time soon. It looks really hard from what I can see. - Oh, yours is on fire! - I hope you like them burnt, cos... - I do. - (CHUCKLES) Have this one. It's beautiful. (CHUCKLES) - I went right up the park` - Hi, people. This is Rebecca ` that's the one with the red hair, and Christine. - They're all red-head. They all look the same. - 'This is Joseph's last year. So, he's planning on going down 'to Dunedin next year to study his diving course. 'We haven't really thought too hard about when he goes down to Dunedin. I think it's just cos, in a way, 'we don't want it to happen, but I feel like when he moves away, we're gonna have to actually start being 'adults a bit more, which is` it's exciting, but really scary.' (ALL CHEER) Hey, Nanny. I wrote another positive song. - The positive song that's not just about Joseph? - Yes, actually. (ALL LAUGH) I don't` It doesn't have a name. - Well, find one, quick. - It's called No Name. Boom. - The Boy. - It's not about a boy! - But it is a lot about the boy. - This one isn't about a boy. - OK. - (PLAYS GUITAR) # He comes around every day wanting more. # He comes around every day looking for something else. # I can't give it to him. # I can't give it to him. # And you take all that you can get # and you never let her go. 'Our relationship's quite a` It's, like, a strong relationship, 'so I don't think it's going to be affected by him going away, 'but I really want it to work out. I really care for him.' He's important to me. # I can't give it to him. # I can't give it to him. # (SONG ENDS) (ALL CLAP, CHEER GENTLY) - Thought you said it's not about a boy. (ALL LAUGH) I've got news for you, girl. It's about a boy. - It should have been The Boy. - Well, technically, it's not about a boy. It's about a girl. - Is it? - Yeah. It's my song, guys. You can't tell me what it's about. - It's all about interpretation. - Well, maybe that should be the name of the song ` It's Not About A Boy. - It's about all boys and girls. - It's about all boys and girls. It's called Boys and Girls. That's what it's called. (ALL LAUGH) 'As much as I care for Joseph, it's about our relationship. And it's the same with me ` 'if I wanted to go somewhere, I'm not going to expect him to follow me around the world.' I don't know if I'd move. I would like to. That'd be really cool ` seeing who I am without my family. It would be a bit` I would see a different side to me, I feel. (ALL LAUGH) - Oh, no! Give it back. (INTRIGUING MUSIC) (LOCK THUDS) - Laters. (CHUCKLES) - Oh, OK, see ya. - I'll catch ya later. (CHATTER) (CAR ALARM CHIRPS) (INTRIGUING MUSIC) (LOCK THUDS) - Oh. (INTENSE MUSIC) (CAR THUDS) (HORN BLARES) (LIGHTS CLICK OFF) (POLICE RADIO CHATTER) (LIGHTS CLICK OFF) (METAL CRUNCHES) (POLICE RADIO CHATTER) - (GASPS) ` Oh no. Oh no. - (HORSE WHINNIES) (KEYS CLATTER) (LIGHTS CLICK OFF) (INTENSE MUSIC) (CHUCKLES) - MAN: Good night? - Yeah, good as night. (SNIFFS) (INTRIGUING MUSIC) (LIGHTS CLICK OFF, INTENSE MUSIC) (CHUCKLES) - MAN: Good night? - Yeah, good as night. (LOW-KEY MUSIC) - Dating in a small town is terrible. Everyone knows everyone, and it's just like, 'Nah, I just don't have time for it.' - Do you have any other jackets? - I have no clothes. This is why I never wanna go out. - We're going out, OK? We're gonna have fun. 'I kinda miss the old Louize. Like, I never once not saw her out.' Oh, this is cute. 'She's just getting too old. (CHUCKLES) She's not that old, but...' I recks just wear that. 'She's being a grandma.' - No, cos I'll be freezing. - Well, just don't get cold. Nah. (CHUCKLES) - Well, I got out every now and then. It's not like I'm completely a hermit. - Put that one on. White and` And it will suit that jacket. - I like how he's straight up and, like, he'll tell you if you look bad. - It's all coming together, brother. - I'm feeling better now. I feel more comfortable. - You look cute. - I have no idea how to flirt or anything now cos it's just been so long. AMERICAN ACCENT: Hey. (GIGGLES) How are you? (INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER) - Kiss my ass, bro. - Just don't hurt him, eh? Cos... (LAUGHTER) - Cos I'd be like, 'We drove to Waitara and back.' (LAUGHS) Oi! (SQUEALS) - You cocksucker. - She got a WAP. - BOTH: WAP! - (GIGGLES) - 'She's a bit of a loose cannon. 'Once you get her drinking, once she has a real good time, then, like, she's crazy. I love it.' - You first. You first. - Ohh. That was a miss. - Oh, wham! - I love hanging out with the bros. Yeah, they've been there for me since I've had my accident, since we were kids. - Ready? - Being with them has helped me have some normalcy in my life. - Front left, front left. - Oh, it was the middle. - A little rough around the edges, but that just how everyone grew up in a town like this. (ALL CHATTER) - Bro, all we know is a good time, eh? That's all we know. - Exactly. - Good time with the boys. - Good time with the girls. - Brayton knows. Brayton knows. - Everyone used to tell me all the time that, like, 'Brayton's gonna be way slicker then you. 'He's gonna get way more girls. Everything, bro.' - That was me and you. We used to, like, dance. It was me, him, Potiki. We'd, like, practise for two weeks and we'd dance for the whole school. It's one of the things that a lot of people remember you for. I was real energetic, real into sports, just dancing all day long. - 99.9% of people had your accident, they would have given up, bro. They would have given up on life and everything. - Nah. - Come a long way, bro. - Inspiration, bro. Like, yeah, yeah, like, 'Oh, shit. I'm stuck. I'm in a wheelchair now. I'm gonna feel sorry for myself.' Bro, you're fucking killing it, bro. You're killing it. - That's sort of what I had to overcome, and that just made them, I guess, see themselves and wanna push themselves harder. - I honestly feel like we can, like, break that stereotype around... - Young Maori, bro. Young Maori. - The stigma is young Maoris ` 'Oh, they drop out of school. That sucks. Get on the benefit.' You know? Like, bro, we ain't about that. We want more. - Especially around here, eh? It's the norm. - Think about all of our mates we went to school with that were Maori, they were, like, skux as. It just sucks cos, fucking, you know, we're just in a box. - Like, that's the thing. Stereotype of Waitara's like, you know, 'I'm a gangsta, I'm a gangsta.' - It's ain't us, eh? It ain't us. - 'I'm a gangsta. I do drugs.' - Yeah, exactly. 'I do drugs.' Fuck, I'm not... - We ain't about that. - But you know the way we break that, right? - There's a lot of people out there that are just sitting there, sitting at home, smoking weed, chilling, you know, kicking it ` like, we're actually doing it. - Yeah. - We're putting our shit out there, you know? - Hard. - We just gotta make our own path, whether we have to or not. You can't be fooled by the skin colour of us. We're a lot of dark skin, light skin, everything. We have a lot of culture and tradition in our families and our backgrounds and everything that goes deeper than even just us. (CROWD CHANTS, SINGS IN TE REO MAORI) - RAPS: # They ain't go no muscle, no hustle. # No backbone, I stand alone. # Not tripping, just saying, I'm different. # Ain't hanging on the coattails of the next man. # Passport in my left hand, thinking that you... - A lot of people around my age ` they're still figuring out where they wanna be, what they wanna do. We're going through a stage where we're just doing all the stupid things allowed to get that all out of the way. - # ...my girl said she loved me, it's funny # just thinking back, study hard for that 9 to 5. - I guess there's been a lot of mishaps and pain, yeah, but I've turned that pain into champagne, and just let it drive me forward. # ...my peoples, we growing up 'stead of seeing others slowing up. # Tint squad, we throwing up, every time we showing up. # Get it while I'm living. # All I ever hear is the clock tick, tick, ticking. # So I'm 'bout my business, and I'm running, I'm running, # I'm running with you now. # They don't wanna give it up, we gon' make it out. # It don't get no greater. Feel like I'm on fire. # Feel like I'm Johnny Storm... - I hated telling people I was from Waitara, but now I'm actually proud to tell people I'm from here. It just depends on the people you're with. - # Get it while I'm living. - Normal nights aren't my thing. (CHUCKLES) I want some weird shit to happen. I'm not, like, this little country pumpkin. (CHUCKLES) I want bigger and better things. - # They don't wanna give it up, we gon' make it out. (SIRENS WAIL) - # Won't wait another day. - # My plan is falling into place. - # We ain't got much to lose. - # I wanna taste. - What's in it for youse? - # Won't wait another day. # - # My plan is falling into place. # - Joseph! (PEOPLE CHATTER) (SIRENS WAIL) (POIGNANT PIANO MUSIC) - Waitara. (CHUCKLES) I guess we're just a bit more rough around the edges. Yeah, we're a bit harder. Oh! 'Going with all the boys to cut my hair is a ritual.' Well, there's only one type of haircut you actually do, isn't it? - Filthy mullet ` that's the only way to be. - 'It's just feels wrong going to a hairdresser.' - (CHUCKLES) - 'Full of hard cunts, really. That's Waitara.' - I reckon we've got a perfect 90 on this side. Look at that. Ta-da. - 'They are more brothers to me, you know? They are family. 'I could count on any of them at any time and I know they'd be there.' - (LAUGHS) - My friends, man ` you couldn't pick a better bunch. - It's all done to ya, motherfucker. Captions by Sophie Pearce. Edited by Cameron Grigg. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2020 - Supporting local content so you can see more of New Zealand on air.