Award-winning Māori gothic horror Mārama to debut on MĀORI+ this August

A new milestone in Māori storytelling is set to reach local audiences as the gothic horror film Mārama prepares for its streaming debut. According to reporting by The Spinoff, the film will be available on the MĀORI+ platform starting Sunday, 16 August 2026. The production marks the debut of director Toa Stappard and has already gained significant recognition on the global stage. The film secured the top prize at the Seattle International Film Festival, marking a successful international run before its arrival on domestic screens. The narrative follows the journey of Ariāna Osborne, who portrays a young Māori orphan traveling from Aotearoa to North Yorkshire. The protagonist’s journey is driven by a desire to reconnect with her whakapapa, leading her to the mysterious and ghostly Hawkser Manor. As the story unfolds, the film explores themes of identity and history within the framework of the horror genre. Critics have lauded the film as a significant contribution to the national cinematic landscape. The Spinoff described the production as a masterclass in modern Māori storytelling, noting that it establishes itself as a newfound New Zealand classic. By blending traditional gothic elements with a distinct Indigenous lens, Stappard’s work offers a fresh perspective on the impacts of colonization and the search for ancestral roots. Originally featured as part of the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival 2026, the film's move to streaming ensures wider accessibility for viewers across the country. The release is part of a broader mid-August lineup of new content appearing on streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video, and TVNZ+.