Winner - Best New Zealand Emerging Filmmaker Award, Doc Edge Festival (2026)
"A remarkable debut that announces a distinctive and confident voice in New Zealand documentary. The jury was unanimous in recognising the skill, empathy and originality with which this filmmaker approaches their subject." ~ Doc Edge Festival Jury
When singing legend Hemi Pere is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he tasks his son Hayden with finding an estranged family member (“Honk”) so they can make peace before time runs out.
As Hayden navigates Honk’s connections within the criminal underbelly, he must decipher clues and red herrings to solve the mystery of Honk’s whereabouts. The closer Hayden comes to finding Honk, the further he travels into danger.
To fulfil his father’s dying wish, Hayden is pulled into the shadows of his own family history, where vengeful enemies and hidden truths threaten everything he holds dear.

Finding Honk: a hybrid of real-life and fiction
Radio New Zealand Interview with Heydon Hohaia. From Māpuna, 12:15 pm on 27 June 2026

