We stumbled across this stunning New Zealand film about the Karena family quite by chance, and what a surprising discovery it was.

The 90 minute film is a documentary that follows the life of Peter Karena, his wife Colleen and their 6 children as they deal with living by a wonderful, uncompromising code of ethics quite rare in today's modern, fast paced world.

It is a refreshing look at a more simple way of life, a life where family, living in the moment, a deep affinity with nature and happiness take priority over all else. It is extremely moving, raw and emotional, and really makes you think about what is important, and the deep impact we have on those around us.

Peter sums up his ethos very eloquently with the line "What do I do for a living? I live for a living"

The film explores the family's dynamics and allows Peter the opportunity to beautifully articulate a simple philosophy about a life more simple, and a life devoted to family. It made me really think deeply about how I teach my own children, now and into the future.
Peter is a deep thinker, a very calm and considered man; Colleen is a deeply caring, wise and compassionate woman, and their children are full of life, love and sense of honour and family. These are the kinds of folks you would love as your neighbours!

This film has just been released and is currently being shown in theatres and is available for sale from their website < http://www.thiswayoflifemovie.com > for just NZD$29.95 (international sales to begin soon).

The film has already received some nice accolades by some media heavyweights and is lined up to win a bunch of film festival awards, including it seems getting into the pre qualifying rounds for the Oscars. We thoroughly recommend it, and are buying our own copy to support them. That is the power of the story, I feel I would like to support them in any way that I can, and sincerely hope that they are financially rewarded by the success of the film.

A synopsis from the film's website (copy & paste the link people) < http://www.thiswayoflifemovie.com > :

Shot over four years, This Way of Life is an intimate portrait of Peter Karena and his family. Masterful in the saddle and Hollywood handsome, Peter lives by an internal code of values and honor largely lost in modern times. Though European, Peter was adopted into a Maori family and is Maori in all but skin. He is a horse-whisperer, philosopher, hunter, and builder, a husband and father. Despite seemingly overwhelming challenges, Peter refuses to compromise. Especially troubling to Peter is his broken relationship with his adopted father – a malevolent man who refuses to leave him alone.

Peter’s wife Colleen Karena (Ngati Maniapoto) is the keeper of her family’s taonga tuku iho (heritage). A true matriarch, Colleen sees family as the center of the universe and mothering as the world’s most important job. As the film progresses, we discover her quiet exterior conceals a profound and beautifully articulated approach to parenting resulting in the physical competence and emotional openness of her children.

The film portrays the intimate life of the Karena family. In their early 30’s, Peter and Colleen have six kids and 50 horses. We follow them up into the Ruahine ranges and down to their hidden beach camp. Against these isolated backdrops we explore family relationships, their connection to nature, their keen survival skills and their absolute intimacy with each other and their horses.

We watch as Peter and Colleen celebrate the birth of a child and cope with a late miscarriage. Their attempts to navigate the discord between Peter and his father culminate in the theft of his valuable herd of horses and the burning of their beloved family home. Now homeless, we watch as Peter steers his family toward a new way of living and being. Regardless of their hardships, the Karenas manage to never lose sight of the magic in the everyday.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Karena children. Untamed and unafraid, the idea of risk is alien to them. To watch seven-year-old Aurora expertly ride a massive stallion bareback with no more than a rope halter asks us to reexamine our ideas of what children are capable of.

In This Way of Life, the Karenas unite their philosophy with their circumstances, turning hardship into a meaningful and satisfying life.

Our recommendation - We loved it. Watch it with your children, but be warned for those vegetarians out there as there are a few dead animal processing scenes as Peter goes about living off the land, and teaching his kids about where the meat they eat comes from. Overall a brillaint movie, well worth buying for yourself and supporting the NZ film making industry and hopefully also a really nice family just living the dream and growing a wonderful next generation of well adjusted humans.