Movie

Whale Rider

“In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.”

★ 7.0(450)20031h 41m

Whale Rider is streaming on Netflix in New Zealand, and available to rent or buy on JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store and Amazon Video. Availability checked 21 July 2026.

Where to watch Whale Rider

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Good to know

Director: Niki Caro
Release date: 2003-01-30
Runtime: 1h 41m
Language: Maori
Box office: $41,400,000
Budget: $8,000,000
Status: Released
Country: Germany
Studio: South Pacific Pictures

Whale Rider — trailer

About Whale Rider

Whale Rider is a 2003 movie in the Drama and Family genres, directed by Niki Caro, starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene and Vicky Haughton. It has a runtime of 1 hour 41 minutes. It holds an average rating of 7.0/10 from 450 viewers. Below you can see where to watch Whale Rider in New Zealand — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

A contemporary story of love, rejection, and triumph as a young Māori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.

Cast

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Paikea Apirana

Rawiri Paratene

Koro

Vicky Haughton

Nanny Flowers

Cliff Curtis

Porourangi

Grant Roa

Uncle Rawiri

Mana Taumaunu

Hemi

Rachel House

Shilo

Taungaroa Emile

Willie

Tammy Davis

Dog

Mabel Wharekawa

Maka

Rawinia Clarke

Miro

Tahei Simpson

Miss Parata

Themes & keywords

divingbecoming an adultgrandparent grandchild relationshiptraditionloss of loved oneoceanwhaleempowermentnew zealandmaori traditionchiefmodern societycanoepatriarchstick fighting