Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:18p.m.
By Ingrid Leary
A documentary featuring New Zealand conservation pioneers has gone global, with screenings scheduled in theatres in Britain, Europe and Dubai.
At New Zealand House in London, around 80 influential guests turned up for a traditional launch of Papa-Tua-Nuku Earth Whisperers.
Financed by British conservationists, the film's been made by acclaimed Maori director Kathleen Gallagher, and the screening attracted some famous London-based kiwis.
It has been described as New Zealand's response to Al Gore's film An Inconvenient Truth.
Earth Whisperers features 10 New Zealand champions of the environment - people like bird caller Gerry Findlay and acclaimed photographer Craig Potton.
The stunning visuals are a calling card for New Zealand and the unique concept of kaitiakitanga - guardianship of the Earth. The film builds on the reputation created by Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings.
It also documents the seed hikoi and other activism which lead to the conservation movement in New Zealand.
Papatuanuku Earth Whisperers is playing in theatres around New Zealand and Britain, and will screen in several European cities before Christmas.
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