The film world has lost a bold and influential voice. Acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker Lee Tamahori — best known for directing the landmark Māori‐drama Once Were Warriors (1994) and the blockbuster James Bond entry Die Another Day (2002) — has died. He was 75 years old.
Life & Career
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1950, Tamahori was of mixed Māori (Ngāti Porou) and British heritage. RNZ+1 He began his film-career behind the scenes — working in commercials, photography, and eventually as boom operator and assistant director.
His debut feature film, Once Were Warriors (1994), was a raw and emotionally powerful look at a Māori family’s struggles in South Auckland. It was not only critically acclaimed but also a commercial breakthrough in New Zealand, becoming the country’s highest-grossing domestic film at the time.
That early success opened doors to Hollywood — Tamahori went on to direct films such as Mulholland Falls (1996), The Edge (1997), Along Came a Spider (2001), and eventually Die Another Day (2002) — starring Pierce Brosnan in his last outing as 007.
Beyond his Hollywood work, Tamahori returned to his roots with projects such as Mahana (2016) and his later film The Convert (2023) — both deeply rooted in Māori identity, culture and the New Zealand landscape.
Legacy & Influence
Tamahori’s impact is multi-layered:
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Champion of Māori voices: From his earliest work, he spotlighted actors, narratives and production talent from his Māori heritage. In his death-statement, his family emphasised that “Lee championed Māori talent both on and off screen.”
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Bridging local and global cinema: Few filmmakers from New Zealand had so seamlessly moved between culturally rooted domestic dramas and large-scale Hollywood blockbusters.
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Trailblazing storytelling: Once Were Warriors is often cited as one of the most important films in New Zealand cinema; Tamahori’s later works broadened his scope while retaining a strong directorial voice.
His family’s tribute described him as “a charismatic leader and fierce creative spirit.”
Final Days & Passing
Tamahori died on 7 November 2025 at his home in Auckland, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 75.
In recent years he had been public about his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
What He Leaves Behind
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A filmography that spans gritty domestic drama to high-octane global blockbuster.
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A legacy of opening doors for Indigenous and New Zealand filmmakers on the world stage.
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Iconic scenes: from the raw power of Once Were Warriors to the spectacle of Die Another Day’s invisible car and Bond drama.
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Inspiration: countless directors and storytellers in New Zealand and beyond will continue to look to his work for proof of what’s possible when local stories are treated with universal ambition.
Indeed, A Farewell
Lee Tamahori may be gone—but his films endure, his influence remains, and his voice continues to echo through the stories he dared to tell. Moe mai rā e te rangatira — rest now, revered leader.
