Legendary New Zealand filmmaker Lee Tamahori, best known for directing the acclaimed drama Once Were Warriors and the James Bond blockbuster Die Another Day, has died at the age of 75.
In a statement reported by RNZ, Tamahori’s family said he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones, his long-time partner Justine, his children Sam, Max, Meka, and Tané, daughters-in-law Casey and Meri, his mokopuna Cora Lee, and extended whānau, Stuff reported.
“His legacy endures with his whānau, his mokopuna, every filmmaker he inspired, every boundary he broke, and every story he told with his genius eye and honest heart,” the family said. “A charismatic leader and fierce creative spirit, Lee championed Māori talent both on and off screen,” as quoted by Stuff.
Tamahori’s career spanned more than four decades, making him one of New Zealand’s most internationally recognised directors. His 1994 debut feature, Once Were Warriors, became a landmark in New Zealand cinema for its raw portrayal of Māori life and domestic struggle, Stuff reported.
He went on to direct major Hollywood productions, including the thriller Along Came a Spider (2001) and the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day, starring Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry, according to Stuff.
Tamahori’s passing marks the loss of a pioneering voice in both New Zealand and global cinema, a storyteller whose films challenged, provoked, and inspired audiences worldwide.
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