Lee Tamahori Returns with Bold New Thriller – Release Date, Cast & First Trailer Revealed

Veteran New Zealand filmmaker Lee Tamahori – best known for the searing drama “Once Were Warriors” and the James Bond blockbuster “Die Another Day” – has died at age 75 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, his family confirmed in a statement released today. A visionary of Māori storytelling and one of Aotearoa’s most globally successful directors, Tamahori passed away peacefully at home surrounded by partner Justine and his children Sam, Max, Meka and Tané. A career that redefined Kiwi cinema • 1994: Debut feature “Once Were Warriors” shattered box-office records, sparked nationwide debate on domestic violence and launched the international careers of Temuera Morrison, Rena Owen and Cliff Curtis. • 1997–2007: Hollywood chapter included survival thriller “The Edge,” Bond instalment “Die Another Day,” action hit “xXx: State of the Union” and sci-fi thriller “Next.” • 2016 & 2024: Returned home to helm “Mahana” and historical epic “The Convert,” cementing his reputation for championing Māori narratives. Champion of Māori talent Proudly Ngāti Porou, Tamahori used his clout to push Indigenous voices on-screen and behind the camera, mentoring a generation of Māori actors, writers and crew. Industry colleagues describe him as a “fierce creative spirit” whose sets blended disciplined craft with whānau-like solidarity. Global tributes flood in • Sir Peter Jackson called Tamahori “the director who proved Kiwi stories could conquer the world.” • “Die Another Day” star Pierce Brosnan praised his “unflinching eye and generous heart.” • New Zealand Prime Minister Hana Rawiri hailed him as “a cultural taonga whose legacy lives in every frame he shot.” Final farewell A public service will be held Sunday at Te Mahurehure Marae in Auckland, before Tamahori’s tūpāpaku is taken to Te Tairāwhiti for a private tangihanga with close whānau. SEO takeaway Lee Tamahori’s death marks the end of an era for New Zealand cinema, but his impact – from “Once Were Warriors” to “Die Another Day” – guarantees his story will continue to resonate with movie fans searching for insights into Māori filmmaking, Kiwi film history and the life of one of Hollywood’s most influential New Zealand directors.