The story centers on the Heke family living in a public housing area of Auckland.
Analysis of Once Were Warriors (1994) The 1994 film Once Were Warriors , directed by Lee Tamahori and based on the bestselling novel by Alan Duff , is a seminal work in New Zealand cinema. It provides a raw and unflinching look at an urban Māori family struggling with poverty, alcoholism, and devastating domestic violence. Core Narrative and Character Dynamics Once Were Warriors (1994)