ABOUT US
KAKAIA Productions is an independent production company bringing Moana Pacific narratives to the screen, working between Aotearoa (New Zealand) and French Polynesia. Founded by award-winning filmmakers Carrisse Uta'i and Kahu Kaiha, we champion Indigenous narratives grounded in language, culture, and hope.
Our short film KÜĪ is currently captivating audiences at international film festivals, and our latest release, O Alofa Nei, O Alofa Nā, (funded by NZ On Air/Day One Hāpai Te Haiata), premiered in 2025. Next, we’re developing our debut feature documentary, Kakaia, Te Tau Tama Ā Tiki (The Children Of Tiki).
Mālō Lava, Ka'oha Nui, Hello
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Mālō Lava, Ka'oha Nui, Hello 〰️
Carrisse Uta’i
Producer, Writer & Actress
Carrisse Uta’i (Si‘umu, Aleisa) is an award-winning producer, writer and actor based in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through KAKAIA Productions, she champions Indigenous storytelling, with acclaimed shorts including Find Where I Belong (acquired by France TV) and KÜĪ (Best Indigenous Film, Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival 2025; Best Short Film, Cinemagic 2025 – 16+ Youth Jury) acquired by PIC. Her most recent short, O Alofa Nei, O Alofa Nā (NZ On Air / Day One Hāpai Te Hāiata, 2025), is currently screening on the film festival circuit.
She is currently co-producing Kahu Kaiha’s debut feature documentary, KAKAIA: 'Te Tau Tama Ā Tiki (The Children of Tiki), and producing a short animated project in development, The Timid Taniwha. Carrisse received the 2024 Day One Vista Foundation Spirit Award.
Kahu Kaiha
Kahu Kaiha (Ua Pou - Iles Marquises) is a Marquesan multi-hypenate, and award-winning Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Marquesan Haka Choreographer AND Marquesan Haka music composer.
His directorial debut short film 'Find Where I Belong' was a self/crowd funded project which won ‘Best Fiction Short Film’ at the FIFO Film Festival. His second film, KÜĪ, has garnered international acclaim, winning Best Indigenous Film at Flicker's Rhode Island International Film Festival (2025) and Best Short Film 16+ Youth Jury Award at Cinemagic Film Festival (2025).
Kahu continues to create ambitious and culturally centered films through his production company, KAKAIA Productions. He is deeply committed to preserving and promoting Marquesan culture, through sharing the stories, traditional dances, and music of his homeland with a broader audience via his work on screen, as well as being a regular participant in festivals and workshops. He received the 2024 Day One Imagezone Vision Award.
Director, Writer, Actor, Haka Choreographer, Haka Composer, Fixer & Cultural Advisor
What does KAKAIA mean?
KAKAIA is derived from the word KAI-KAIA. KAI means "to devour," while KAIA means "in a ferocious way."
It was also the name of an ancient HENUA ENANA (The Marquesas Islands) tribe known for being fierce and worshipping TIKI, an ancient Polynesian divine entity.
Today, we define KAKAIA as someone who is audacious, bold, and unafraid to lead. These values form the core foundations of our production company.