Home / Arts and Entertainment / Pioneering Māori Filmmaker Lee Tamahori, Known for 'Die Another Day,' Dies at 75
Pioneering Māori Filmmaker Lee Tamahori, Known for 'Die Another Day,' Dies at 75
7 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Acclaimed New Zealand director Lee Tamahori, known for 'Once Were Warriors' and 'Die Another Day,' has passed away
- Tamahori died following a battle with Parkinson's disease at the age of 75
- He was a trailblazer in New Zealand cinema, making an immediate impact with his raw, unapologetic debut 'Once Were Warriors'
Lee Tamahori, the acclaimed New Zealand director behind films like the Māori drama "Once Were Warriors" and the James Bond blockbuster "Die Another Day," has passed away at the age of 75. Tamahori's family confirmed that the director died following a battle with Parkinson's disease.
Tamahori, who was of Māori and British descent, made an immediate impact with his directorial debut in 1994 with "Once Were Warriors." The unapologetic and raw portrayal of Māori life established him as an exciting new voice in New Zealand cinema. Hollywood soon came calling, and Tamahori went on to direct several high-profile films, including the 2002 Bond movie "Die Another Day" starring Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry.
Despite the mixed reviews for "Die Another Day," the film was a commercial success, grossing $432 million globally. Tamahori's subsequent films, such as "XXX: State of the Union" and "The Devil's Double," did not achieve the same level of impact. However, he returned to his homeland in recent years, directing "Mahana" in 2016 and "The Convert" in 2023.
Tamahori's family praised his lasting legacy, stating that "his genius eye and honest heart" inspired filmmakers and broke boundaries through the stories he told. The pioneering Māori director's impact on New Zealand cinema will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.
