‘He was our superhero’: The legendary Jonah Lomu’s Tongan story comes to the big screen

Jonah Lomu’s story has always been bigger than rugby.

Now, a new documentary is bringing the world-famous All Black’s Tongan heritage, humble character and journey from South Auckland to the global stage to audiences across Aotearoa.

Hundreds gathered at Auckland’s Civic Theatre at the weekend for the premiere of Lomu, the centrepiece film of the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival.

The 147-minute documentary is co-directed by Vea Mafile'o, a Tongan filmmaker, and Gavin Fitzgerald, and looks beyond Lomu’s powerful performances on the rugby field to tell the story of the person behind the legend.

It explores his childhood in Ha'apai, his years at Wesley College, his rise to become one of rugby’s first global superstars, and his private battle with a serious kidney disorder before his death in 2015 at the age of 40.

Mafile'o says the film is about making sure younger generations understand the legacy of a Pacific hero.

The documentary was recently screened for free at Teufaiva Stadium in Tonga, where 8000 people gathered to celebrate Lomu’s life.

Jonah Lomu in action for the All Blacks. The legendary winger is the subject of a new feature documentary, releasing in New Zealand cinemas in September. Photo/Madman Entertainment

"What was really nice about [the Tonga premiere] was that there was a whole generation that found out about him,” Mafile’o told PMN News.

“Even though this coming year is his 11th year passing, there hasn't been much celebration and acknowledgement of him.

“So it was good to see that. Just the education around ‘hey, we have we have the superhero’.”

Keven Mealamu, a former All Black says Lomu’s impact reached far beyond his performances in the black jersey.

Mealamu, who played alongside Lomu, said he was the first rugby player many young Pacific athletes looked up to.

“He was the first true superstar of rugby. We'd never seen an athlete like that. No one of that size and speed," says Mealamu.

“His character as well, just a real humble person. Being a South Aucklander we were just proud. We were trying to do all the things that he was doing on the field, out in the parks, at school.

“He's been special to our generation and now we get to share him with the next generation.”

Jonah Lomu, the All Black widely regarded as rugby's first global superstar, is the subject of a new feature documentary directed by Tongan filmmaker Vea Mafile'o and Gavin Fitzgerald. Photo/Madman Entertainment

Frank Bunce, another former All Black who played with Lomu, says the pressure placed on the young winger was something few people could understand.

“He was young and a little naive but all he wanted to do was get out there and play rugby, and to a point be with his friends,” Bunce says.

“I can resonate but I don't think anyone can really understand what he went through as a person.

“So much pressure, so much scrutiny, from all over the world. For someone so young, that's the thing we've got to look at and remember.”

(From left to right) Vea Mafile’o, Frank Bunce and Keven Mealamu. Photo/PMN News

John-Paul Foliaki, a Tongan creative artist, who attended both the premiere in Tonga and the Auckland screening, says the documentary shows a side of Lomu many people never saw.

“Jonah stayed true to his culture in a lot of ways that people didn't get to see being in the public eye," Foliaki says.

“It's not an easy walk. What does success look like from a cultural perspective? It looks like uplifting your family, but in the world that we live in it might look like getting lots of money and that's not necessarily always the case.”

“Something I'll take away from his documentary or his life and legacy is to stay true and passionate to what it is that God has blessed you with. Remembering your culture and keeping God at the forefront, that's something that stood out to me.”

John-Paul (JP) Foliaki. Photo/PMN News/Unsplash/PMN Composite

The film also celebrates Pacific art, featuring sound-mapped projection work and traditional tapa art created by 150 Tongan artists.

Supported by the New Zealand Film Commission with an NZ$800,000 grant, the documentary includes rare archival footage from Lomu’s family.

Lomu will be released in cinemas nationwide on 3 September 2026. For more information, click here.