- How am I supposed to be this respected kaumatua
when I'm totally unprepared? My te reo isn't good enough.
And what was that internship about
if I'm never gonna leave Kauri Point anyway?
- I really think that we could do something
pretty special here.
And I will cover the cost of your infrastructure.
How about you come and work for me?
- Would you be able to come and have lunch with
me and my mum today? - What?
- I've been in a total panic about it all week.
Look, it'll just be a lot easier if you're there.
- Yep. Sure.
Hey.
- Where were you? - I went for a ride.
- You are so selfish, Issie!
- But I- - I don't wanna hear it. OK?
['MYSTIC' THEME MUSIC]
Captions by Able. www.able.co.nz
- Your shift finished half an hour ago.
- Yeah, I know. Tipene said he was gonna pick me up from here.
Might as well make myself useful while I wait.
- Oh. Nice, hon. What are you two up to?
- Te reo Maori lessons.
- You sorted that out yourself?
- Well, I've got to start somewhere.
- CHUCKLES: Yeah.
[GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC]
- Morning, Issie.
- Hi.
[CELL PHONE CHIMES]
- Is that Natasha?
You know, the sooner you guys put things right, the better.
- I know.
Where are the spoons?
- Lovely [!]
- Morning, love. - Morning.
- Hm.
- You fancy a little forest walk?
- Sorry, can't.
Busy.
- She'll come around... eventually.
[DOOR CLOSES]
- [SIGHS] - What was he like?
Gordon.
- An adventurer.
Life with him [CHUCKLES] was never boring.
He could be pretty crazy. He's a lot like you, in some ways.
- What, crazy?
- Well, not 'eat your muesli with a ladle' crazy,
but close. [CHUCKLES]
- All the spoons have disappeared.
Right. Anyways, I've gotta to go.
- See you, Gran. - Yeah, have a good day, love.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
- Bianca will lose it if she finds us in here.
- [SIGHS] I've missed this place.
[CELL PHONE CHIMES]
That's, like, the third message you've ignored today.
- When do you think the Dulmoth dorks are coming back?
- [SCOFFS] Seriously, don't worry.
I can sense when people are approaching.
It's a bit of a special skill, actually.
Just chill. [CHUCKLES]
[CELL PHONE CHIMES]
- No! [GRUNTS] Hey!
- Why is Gabe messaging you so much?!
- Why are you looking at my phone?!
- I'm nosy. Answer the question.
- OK, well, just give it first.
- Only if you dish.
- OK, fine.
We kissed.
- No. That is huge! - It really isn't.
You know what? Actually, it's the opposite of huge.
OK? And that's the way I want it to stay.
- Why? Gabe seems cool.
- GINTY: ...certainly reconfigure in here.
But why would you keep your filing in the...?
- Special skill, eh?
- Be good to move some of this furniture around too.
Could you two move?
- Yeah. You two here just taking up space.
- We were gonna go on a hack.
- Yeah, except someone banned me from
riding horses at the stable.
- Not accurate. I said that you were on your last warning.
- Cool. Come on, Issie.
Let's go. We gotta do a debrief. [GIGGLES]
- A debrief. What's going on?
- What's that stain? - No idea.
- Nothing.
- Well, that's not very reassuring.
- I'll come with you.
- Uh, you wanted my thoughts.
- Are those them? - Most of them, yeah.
- Cos I was just expecting an email.
- Sorry. I just...
feel like I've got a lot to learn from you, and...
- [SIGHS] OK.
- OK.
So, this part here - it says here that you'll be getting
a catering company in from out of Kauri Point?
- Uh, correct.
- Right. Well, I just thought that
Miri was gonna be doing that.
- Oh, going local is always gonna be my first preference,
but with the numbers we're projecting,
it just came down to capacity.
- Right. - In the long run,
this is gonna be the best choice for everyone,
including Miri. Trust me on that.
- Trust him, Caleb.
If there's one thing Alex is good at,
it's making the right decision for everyone [!]
- [SCOFFS]
You know, for some reason, Gabe thinks that going to
the best boarding school that money can buy
qualifies him as hard done by.
- Next question. - Uh, this part here -
about a toll road into the forest -
- what does that mean, exactly? [WHOOSH PLAYS ON PHONE]
[CELL PHONE CHIMES]
- CAROLINE: Say hi to Gabe for me.
[HORSE SNORTS]
- Staring competition. Nice.
I declare Issie the winner.
You know, I'm actually glad Tipene stood me up.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be having so much fun with you guys [!]
- Don't take it personally.
Even the guy she kissed is getting screened.
- Caroline.
- Should get a move on, then, eh?
- Sorry.
- [SIGHS]
[ETHEREAL MUSIC]
[HORSE NICKERS]
- [BREATHES HEAVILY]
[CRASH ECHOES]
[BIRDS TWITTER, HORSE SNORTS]
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
- What's going on?
- Tipene came up this morning to get some medicine from
the rongoa garden and found this gate.
- Had to walk the rest of the way with a dodgy puku -
pretty risky.
- READS: 'There is a toll for using this road.
'This applies to all users.'
So how am I supposed to check on the herd
if I have to pay, like, a toll charge every time?
Alex Zarkoff doesn't own the forest.
- Dead right!
I say we knock the gate over. Who's got a sledgehammer?
- Oh, I like your passion, Mitch,
but we have to do this properly, OK?
Now, the marae's free this afternoon.
We should put the word out,
get this Alex fulla down and see what he has to say.
[STOMACH RUMBLES] - [GROANS]
Are you all good to set up the wharenui by yourself?
- Yeah, yeah. I'm all good.
- I can give you a hand. - No, I'm fine.
Won't take long.
- You know, this all makes a lot more sense
when you just look at the big picture,
don't get too tied up in all of the details.
- Sounds like a few people want to meet with you this afternoon.
- To talk about the toll gate. - What's the problem?
- They're saying you can't do that.
- Well, they need to read the permit that your dad gave me.
- Right.
So, should I tell them that you'll meet them at the marae?
- You know, you are all over this project.
- Me? - Yeah.
And, plus, your dad's the mayor,
so, you know, foot in both camps.
I think you should do it. I trust you.
- Well, we haven't even finished going over my notes,
and everyone will be there. It'll be crazy.
- OK. You know what?
The people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world are the ones who do.
Steve Jobs. - Right.
- I'll come.
- Since when do you care about any of this?
- Um, everyone's gonna be there, right?
- I reckon there'll be a lot of people here today -
lots of annoyed people.
- Yep.
- OK, could you just stop for a second?
- Why are you so angry? - Well, who said I was angry?
- OK, yeah.
Gabe and I kissed...
for a second. And I've felt weird about it ever since.
But the thing is, what do I have to feel weird about?
That whole last month you were in Australia, you ghosted me.
And ever since you came back, everything's changed -
the stables, home,
us.
And these visions...
I've wanted to talk to you more than anyone.
- Why?
What's going on?
- They're more urgent. There's this bracelet,
and I think that the person who owns it's in real trouble.
- TIPENE: Whoa. Those are some pretty straight lines, guys.
- What? - Well, uh,
it's always just nice to be kanohi-ki-te-kanohi
at these things, you know - face-to-face.
- Sorry. I didn't... I-I'll change them up.
- No, no, all good. Do it your way.
- No, no, I don't have a way. I don't know what I'm doing.
- Oh.
[GROANS] Sorry.
- Are you OK? - Yeah,
I'm just waiting for the koromiko tea to work its magic.
Actually, have you got a second, cuz?
[CLEARS THROAT]
- You sure you're OK? - Yeah.
How would you feel about running things today,
being the kaiwhakahaere? - [SCOFFS]
- You... You're not serious? - Dad can't make it,
Nan's down the line, and your mum's tied up with work.
- What about you? - Nah.
Not today, I'm afraid, cuz. It all comes down to trust.
And I don't trust my bum at all.
It's got a mind of its own right now.
- No, they won't listen to me.
- I'll never- - Oh, that's not good.
[GROANS] Excuse me!
- Uh, hey, Dad? - Hm?
- Did you read the permit you gave Alex? Like, all of it?
- All of it?
I'm the mayor. I'm a busy man, Caleb.
- So...
the whole, 'I'll kiss you, then I'll screen you' approach -
is that, like, a cultural thing?
Cos, you know, it's kinda rude.
- Sorry.
I'm not trying to play games or anything,
if that's what you think.
Um, can we talk about this somewhere else?
- You know what?
Forget it.
I'm not really feeling this any more.
- [BREATHES SHAKILY]
Um...
- [PEOPLE CHATTER] - OK. Me noho tatou.
Tena koutou katoa.
Ko Pukeamaru te maunga.
Ko Tapuaeroa te awa.
Ko Ngati Kahu te iwi.
Ko Daniel toku ingoa.
- Kia ora, everyone. - ALL: Kia ora.
- Uh, my name's Dan, I'm Miri's boy,
and I'm here to lead the discussion for today.
- Hey.
- Just a few rules around this hui.
- I'm gonna go get some air. - Please respect the speaker.
No interrupting or anything like that.
Oh, and the reason we're here is to discuss the toll gate
put in place into the forest by Alex Zarkoff.
- Buffoon! - CHUCKLES: Gran.
- Oh, did I say that out loud [?] Oops [!]
- Um, no interrupting there, Mitch.
Uh, so, Alex- Caleb is here speaking for Alex,
um, and we should just share some thoughts,
and then Alex will go back to Ca- Caleb will go back to Alex.
Um...
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
[MUSIC ENDS]
- The people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world are the ones who do.
I think that sums up Alex.
He wants to change the world - our world.
- Why are we being asked to pay to use something
- which already belongs to us? - [MURMURS OF AGREEMENT]
- Well, when you look at something as minor as a toll,
it's pretty insignificant.
- No, it's not insignificant if you're on a pension.
- Mitch, please. - [HUBBUB]
Please.
- Too many voices. I'm going to the beach.
- Uh, $3 million -
that's what Alex is projecting this plan will generate
over the next two years.
- Caleb, could you tell us how much of the income
is going to come back to the community?
I mean, other than Miri's contract?
- Um...
Uh, yeah. I-I've... got the figures here somewhere.
- Caleb, look in the back of the folder!
[HUBBUB]
- OK, if we could just listen to Caleb...
- [HUBBUB CONTINUES] - [SIGHS]
- Hey, guys...
[MOUTHS]
[HUBBUB CONTINUES]
- Guys.
All of this starts to make a lot more sense
when you look at the bigger picture!
- Sorry, bro. It's been a tough day at the office.
- Look, I might as well not even be here, Tipene.
- Come on. - No. Just-
I can't do this. You take over.
- [CLEARS THROAT]
- Kia ora, e te whanau! - [HUBBUB SUBSIDES]
Kia ora. [CLEARS THROAT]
Let's try and get everyone heard today, yeah?
- Hey.
Cool bracelet.
- Oh.
- Thanks. - Yeah.
- Proudly stolen from my brother.
- Oh.
- Here.
Have it.
- Really? - Mm.
He won't miss it.
[EERIE MUSIC]
- So, uh, are you lost?
- The marae's that way. - If by 'lost' you mean 'bored',
then yes. I am very, very lost.
- [GIGGLES]
- Wanna go to the beach? - Sure.
The path's back that way.
- Ooh.
- Who's walking? - Are you serious?
- We'll have it back before the meeting's over.
They'll never even know we borrowed it.
- Gabe, we could get arrested. - Why? I got my licence.
Sorry. You're right. I mean,
this place is crawling with cops [!]
We'd be caught in no time.
I don't know what I was thinking [!]
That's a good decision, Natasha. It's very sensible.
- Fine. Come on, then. Let's go.
- That forest belongs to us, to Ngati Kahu.
It's where our ancestor Kahurangi first stepped foot on
this whenua - on this land.
That forest is where our tribe began.
It's our taonga - it's our treasure -
and we will never stop trying to protect it.
Bro, if Alex wants to come and talk with us,
then the door's open. But until he wants to front himself,
his plans for our forest go no further than the gate.
Uh, except, of course, the part
that says that Miri does all of his catering.
I mean, he can go as far as he wants with that.
Big pakipaki for my cousin!
- Yeah! [CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
- Actually... [APPLAUSE SUBSIDES]
...Alex's thinking has shifted on that.
[UNEASY MUSIC]
- Watch out for the locals.
They don't like people speeding on the dunes.
- Really? OK, then.
- Whoa! - [LAUGHS]
- Whoa. [LAUGHS NERVOUSLY] - Whoo!
[LAUGHTER CONTINUES]
- Hey! - [GIGGLES]
[GABE LAUGHS, NATASHA SQUEALS]
- LAUGHS: Oh! Wow. - Whoa!
- [SHRIEKS, LAUGHS BREATHLESSLY]
- Whoa! Uh... - [CONTINUES LAUGHING]
- Gabe, can you just... [ENGINE REVS]
- Hey, um, slow down a bit. The river's edge is right there.
[CHUCKLES]
- Gabe?
Seriously, Gabe. Slow down. - Oh, you want me to get closer?
- Gabe, please stop!
Gabe? - Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
- [GASPS, YELPS]
- Alex says Miri's cafe isn't big enough to cope,
so he's going with an outside company.
- I'm sorry. - Wait.
You knew about this, Caleb? And you didn't say anything?
- There's more.
Alex is cordoning off a massive part of the forest
for a VIP area for the glamping.
- Wait, what about the herd? - He can't do that.
- He can, Dad. It's in the permit.
- And it's a 99-year deal. - [SHOCKED MURMURING]
And I'm sorry, Tipene.
Alex might not own the forest, but...
that permit gives him the right to do
whatever he wants with it.
- Kenny, how could you sign that without even reading it?!
99 years? It's our forest!
- How am I supposed to check on the herd?
I actually can't believe this. Are you joking?
[HUBBUB DROWNS OUT CONVERSATION]
- Hey! Everybody! - [SILENCE FALLS]
- It's Natasha. I think she's in trouble.
- What?
[TENSE MUSIC]
Natasha!
- Dad! - Hey.
- Baby, are you hurt?
- No, I'm OK. I-I I don't know where Gabe is, though,
and he was driving, and we had an argument, and then he left.
SOBS: I-I'm so sorry, Dad.
I didn't mean for it to end this way.
- Hey, it's OK. It's OK.
- Hey, Issie, can you check if there's a blanket in the truck?
- Yeah, sure.
- Natasha, where's Gabe?
- Uh, he went that way, towards the cell phone tower.
He said he wanted to find reception or something,
but I...
He should be back by now. - Do you know if he's injured?
- Yes, I think so. He was bleeding.
- Um, but he took off before I could see.
- How long do we have till sunset?
- Hour and a half, two max.
- WHISPERS: It's OK. It's OK.
- Look, if Gabe's in the bush, then he's already lost.
We need to get a search party up there.
Can you organise that?
- No.
You know that maunga better than anyone else here.
You do it.
- All right, listen up.
Gabe's injured, and our best chance of finding him is
while it's still daylight.
- Which way should we head? - Towards the cell tower.
- Come on, then. Let's go. - Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Before we do, we need to be clever about this.
Can you head back and call emergency services?
And when you're there,
gather as many people as you can to help with the search.
Only people who know the bush should be searching out there.
And they should be in groups of two and three.
No one is going on their own.
It's hard going, so if you don't know the hills,
stick by the dunes instead.
This will be our base. Whatever happens,
we need everyone back here before nightfall.
You all good to go?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
- [PANTS]
[BIRD SCREECHES IN DISTANCE]
- Gabe! - Gabe?
- Gabe!
- Gabe? - Gabe!
- Gabe!
- Gabe?
- Gabe! - Gabe!
- Gabe? - Gabe!
- The sun's setting. - [PANTS]
- You doing OK?
- Oh, bum's fine now, cuz.
Lungs not so flash.
- Gabe! - Gabe!
- Any luck? - Nothing. You?
- No, no. No sign.
- We're gonna go up to the hills, help Dan and Tipene.
- No. We're already missing one kid;
not gonna lose three others.
- But he's not here, Tom. This is so pointless.
- Chances of finding Gabe before nightfall
are already low,
and they're getting lower the longer we stand here talking.
Now get.
- Never been one to sugarcoat things, have you, Tom?
- Yeah, well, there's plenty more where that came from too.
- Why? What's going on?
- I'm selling the stables...
to Ginty.
- Poor Tom.
- Oh, that's awful.
Oh, Mum, Issie's gonna be heartbroken.
And what's gonna happen to Blaze?
- [TIPENE PANTS]
Oh, sweet.
Water break... just without the water.
- Hey, would you keep walking uphill if you were feeling bad?
- Bro, I wouldn't normally walk uphill if I was feeling good.
- I reckon there are more important things to Gabe
right now than cell-phone coverage...
like water.
- No, you go, you go.
Oh, yeah, nah, nah. I'll catch up.
- [PANTS]
- Gabe!
Gabriel! - I'm down here!
I'm down here!
- [CHUCKLES BREATHLESSLY, SIGHS]
- Look who it is.
- There you go! - [ALL EXCLAIM]
[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]
- [SIGHS]
- So, nobody listens to you, eh?
Turns out you're not as useless as you thought.
- I guess I just knew what to do out there.
But on the marae, I- - Give it time.
And you'll know how to lead on the marae too.
- You reckon? - Yeah.
There's no rush. We're not going anywhere.
You go off, save some horses, follow your dream.
When you're ready, we're ready.
- Wait, I don't need to choose? - Choose?
What, between being a vet and leading our people?
Cuz, it's called multitasking. [LAUGHS]
- Ooh.
Wouldn't wanna be him right now.
Or him.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- [SIGHS]
About the cafe contract and everything -
I didn't realise Alex was...
I'm so sorry.
I told him,
'I'm not working for you any more. Enough is enough.'
- Wait, you said that?
- To Alex Zarkoff? - Yes...
in a strongly worded text. - [CHUCKLES]
- So, how's your dad coping with
being public enemy number one?
- KENNY: I can't even read the words in this thing.
- He just keeps re-reading the permit and mumbling.
- Says nothing about 99 years in here.
[LAUGHTER]
Flippin' heck.
- So, word on the street is...
- I'm a total idiot. - Mm. You think [?]
- [CHUCKLES] - I mean, stealing a car,
then crashing it and nearly killing yourself.
I mean... - Yeah. Yeah.
- They have a point. - Mm.
- Um, but...
also about before.
- Ah.
- I guess my ego got a bit bruised there.
I know I said I wasn't feeling it, but...
I kinda am.
[DAN AND CALEB LAUGH, CHATTER]
Although I think you might be feeling it for someone else.
I don't need an answer right now, but...
yeah.
Make a choice. OK?
OK, I think I've crowned myself in enough glory
for today. I'm gonna shoot. Alex is picking me up.
- Um, hey, Natasha, can I talk to you, please?
- See you at the car. - Yeah.
- [CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY] Close call.
- Yeah.
- Hey, um...
standing you up like that, with your mum...
it was pathetic thing to do,
and I don't blame you for being annoyed at me.
- Well, yeah, I am.
Although... I've kind of lost the moral high ground now.
[EERIE MUSIC]
[CRASH ECHOES]
- Where did you get that? - From Gabe. Why?
- Take it off.
Now! - Seriously?
Are you jealous? - No!
No, no, no. It's not like that.
That bracelet - just, please, take it off.
- At least now I know where your priorities lie, Issie.
['MYSTIC' THEME MUSIC]
Captions by Able. www.able.co.nz