Nova Paul


Nova Paul is a New Zealand Māori filmmaker of Te Uri Ro Roi and Te Parawhau/Ngāpuhi descent who makes Kaupapa Māori films.

History

Paul completed a Bachelor of Arts in art history at the University of Otago in 1994 and a Master of Arts at Auckland University of Technology in 2000. After graduating, Paul taught studio moving image and art theory at Auckland University of Technology. In 2023 she was appointed a curator at Auckland Museum. Paul is also prominent as an Indigenous Rights researcher.

Methodology

Initially Paul’s work made use of an early film-making process known as three-colour separation. Using this technique she created multi-layered images in what for a number of years became her signature style. Art critic Tessa Laird described the result. ‘By superimposing three exposures of the same subject the flow of time’s stream is tripled…’ Paul’s ongoing interest in meshing the technical aspects of film production with content led her to the Caffenol development process. In her 2023 film Ngā Pūrākau Nō Ngā Rākau – Stories from Trees, for instance, local water and leaves from the trees she was filming were used in the developing process.

Selected filmography

  • 2006: Pink and White Terraces
  • 2007: Our Future is in the Air
  • 2008: The World of Interiors
  • 2010: This is not Dying Using colour separation Paul invokes the Māori belief that although people are important, their lives on earth are brief and it is the land that remains. Sound track by Ben Tawhiti
  • 2015: Still Light A film responding to the poetry of Joanna Paul.
  • 2016: Te Wai o Te Ora
  • 2017: Surplus Reality
  • 2018: Ko Ahau Te Wai Ko Ahu
  • 2022: Hawaiki. Children play outside their school in a make-believe place they have named Hawaiki. The film was shot by cinematographer Darryl Ward.
  • 2023:Ngā Pūrākau Nō Ngā Rākau – Stories from Trees. The film was shot on Aotea and in Whangārei, places where Paul shares whakapapa and connections with communities.
NOTE: A number of Nova Paul's films can be viewed on ''Circuit''

Festivals

Nova Paul is a trustee for her hapū, Artspace Aotearoa and a Haerewa, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki member.