Rū

At 8-months pregnant, Kahu, lives a fairly routine and comfortable life in Auckland NZ with her husband and first born. 

Manāia is a young prospector trying to prove himself to his gang.

On this night, following her evening rituals, Kahu pops out on her own for some midnight munchies.

Kahu drives past a local rest area where the rogue gangsters joyride with Manaia in the boot.  Kahu and Manaia’s worlds collide at the local service station where Manaia is instructed to abduct Kahu.  He conceals himself within her car, before holding her at knife point. Kahu makes a desperate decision to crash her car in an attempt to escape.   

The once unlikely pair end up roadside facing off against each other. 

Kahu seeing that Manāia is Māori, appeals to that part of him in the hope that it will curb his intentions.  Manāia tries to resist her pleas but by this time, severely banged up and broken, and despite himself, suddenly speaks his own truth. 

And as the words tumble from his lips, he begins to fall to his knees.