80-year-old Huia Koziol, known for her work as Co-Chair for the Wairoa Māori Film Festival, passed away on May 16 and was today laid to rest at Kahungunu marae.
If you had ever attended the Wairoa Māori Film Festival you would have met Nanny Huia Kozio, the chair, and mother to Leo Koziol who’s the festival director.
Huia Kozio has had many roles throughout the years, mostly behind the scenes.
As Festival Chairman, Huia Koziol helped to provide Māori filmmakers with an opportunity to showcase and celebrate their films. She created a home for Māori filmmakers to wānanga.
The Wairoa Māori Film Festival was established 11 years ago.
Its success enabling Māori, Pacific, and Indigenous filmmakers here in Aotearoa, and throughout the world opportunities to showcase their works on the big screen at Gaiety Theatre in Wairoa and most importantly, on the Marae of Kahungunu.
Festival Director, Leo Koziol says, “Our Mum passed away peacefully in her sleep aged 80. Huia Koziol was a champion for the film festival from the beginning and leaves us as current serving Co-Chairperson with Ratu Tibble.”
The 11th Wairoa Māori Film Festival begins on 3 – 6 June 2016 at Kahungunu Marae in Nuhaka.