Mike Smith
Here’s everything you need to know about Tangata Pai (2025), the groundbreaking New Zealand drama blending activism, politics, and culture into a powerful primetime series.
How to watch Tangata Pai from anywhere on ThreeNow
To watch Tangata Pai from anywhere, start by using a premium VPN and connect to a New Zealand server. Once connected, go to the ThreeNow website and start streaming episodes.
Tangata Pai (2025) Synopsis
Tangata Pai is one of the most ambitious New Zealand dramas of 2025, blending bilingual storytelling, powerful performances, and a gripping narrative rooted in real-world issues. Created by Kiel McNaughton and Kerry Warkia, the series explores themes of activism, politics, identity, and community through the lives of five interconnected characters during a land occupation.
Set in Ngāmotu (New Plymouth), Taranaki, Tangata Pai follows five individuals whose lives collide in the tense hours leading up to a bomb explosion during a peaceful protest against a mining project. The show presents its story in multi-perspective, real-time sequences, with each episode covering eight minutes of the same hour from different character viewpoints
When Does Tangata Pai Premiere?
Tangata Pai premieres on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 8:30 PM NZST on Three. New episodes will air weekly every Tuesday night. For those who miss the live broadcast, episodes will also be available to stream on ThreeNow.
Where to Watch Tangata Pai
You can watch Tangata Pai live in New Zealand on the Three channel every Tuesday night at 8:30 PM. Full episodes are also available to stream for free on ThreeNow, which offers HD quality, subtitles, and catch-up viewing.
Tangata Pai Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 consists of 8 episodes.
- Episode 1 – September 15, 2025 (45m, M-LC)
Five lives converge during a tense protest: Willa, Adrian, Hinewai, Miki, and Ahorangi. - Episode 2 – September 15, 2025 (44m, 16-LC)
Willa confronts family secrets, Ahorangi faces fallout from her daughter’s fiery speech, Miki rushes to the hospital, Adrian is torn by family loyalty, and Hinewai is caught in a bomb scare.
Tangata Pai Cast
- Ariāna Osborne as Willa – the activist musician.
- Nicola Kāwana as Ahorangi – government politician under fire.
- Jayden Daniels as Miki – protestor and struggling father.
- Shavaughn Ruakere as Hinewai – grieving emergency nurse.
- Yoson An as Adrian – conflicted police officer.
- Kaylee Wipani as Jade – Ahorangi’s Deaf teenage daughter.
- James Tito as Tīmoti – local iwi voice of protest.
Is Tangata Pai Suitable for All Ages?
- The series is rated M-LC / 16-LC (Mature).
- Expect strong themes, occasional coarse language, and intense political tension.
- It is not recommended for young children, but suitable for teens and adults interested in socially relevant dramas.
FAQs
1. What does “Tangata Pai” mean?
In te reo Māori, Tangata Pai translates to “good people.” The title reflects the idea that most characters, despite their flaws and conflicts, are trying to make the best choices for themselves and their communities.
2. Who created Tangata Pai?
The series was created by Kiel McNaughton (The Legend of Baron To’a) and *Kerry Warkia (Waru, Vai). Their previous works explored Māori and Pacific perspectives, and Tangata Pai is a natural extension of their collaborative storytelling.
3. How many languages are used in Tangata Pai?
The show is multilingual:
- About 30% in te reo Māori
- Some New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL)
- The rest in English
This reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of Aotearoa.
4. Where was Tangata Pai filmed?
The series was shot in Taranaki (Ngāmotu / New Plymouth and Hāwera), a region with deep historical significance in Māori land rights and protest movements.
Tangata Pai Trailer
Here’s the trailer:
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