'Hifi Ulu': Family ties behind Niuean hair-cutting ceremony doco

The director of a documentary covering a Niuean boy's hair-cutting ceremony says it was a personal film considering the star is her nephew.

A Boy’s Powerful Niuean Rite - Hifi Ulu follows Luka who prepares for a significant Niuean rite of passage of the same name, which sparks cultural expectations and unspoken conflicts for the family.

In Aotearoa, hifi ulu celebrates a teenage boy who has grown his hair since birth.

This decision is made by parents who also choose what age the ceremony will take place and if more than one son will partake in this honour.

Speaking to Carolanne Toetu'u on Island Time, Director Chantelle Burgoyne said the film followed both her nephew Luka, and his mother Leilani, who is Burgoyne's sister.

"I've known ever since Luka was born that he would be growing his hair and eventually have a hair-cutting ceremony," Chantelle said.

"It was something I thought would be so important to document for the family.

"But also it's such a special and unique custom - the fact that it's still practised. In Tonga it's not practiced anymore and neither in Sāmoa."

Watch the full interview via 531pi's FB below:

Chantelle said although capturing family meant deeper access to their story based on relational trust, that it was important to approach with care and caution.

"Because it's my family I wanted to be sensitive to them and respectful so I would have a lot of discussions with my sister and brother-in-law.

"But also I wanted to make sure Luka was comfortable. Often your parents are making the decisions for you.

"Even his hair, him growing and cutting it, was really not his decision and he accepted and embraced it."

She said Luka had experienced moments where peers at school thought he was a girl due to his long hair.

Luka’s room. Photo /YouTube/Loading Docs

However, Chantelle said his parents encouraged and empowered him through his Niuean heritage.

Chantelle said she hopes the film contributed to the imbalance of representation for Pacific peoples in the media.

"When you don't see that growing up, sometimes that can play on your own sense of identity.

"I think I would love for young Niueans, young Pasifika kids, to watch this and see how beautiful our people are.

"Our cultures, and traditions, and be proud of that and keep them alive."

Watch the short film below: