Filmmaker Lee Tamahori dies aged 75

Friday 7 November 2025 · 8 outlets · 9 reports · updated Sat 8 Nov 2025, 11:39am

In this story Ngāti Porou

New Zealand director Lee Tamahori has died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. The Ngāti Porou filmmaker was known for directing Once Were Warriors and the James Bond film Die Another Day. His family confirmed he passed away following a battle with Parkinson's disease.

How they headlined it

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Fri 5:41pm8:39pmSat 5:45am11:39am

1. NZ HeraldFri 7 Nov 2025, 5:41pm

   Once Were Warriors director Lee Tamahori dies aged 75 (opens in new tab)

2. StuffFri 7 Nov 2025, 6:04pm

   Once Were Warriors, James Bond director Lee Tamahori dies (opens in new tab)

3. RNZFri 7 Nov 2025, 6:25pm

   Legendary Ngāti Porou filmmaker Lee Tamahori dies (opens in new tab)

   • Lee Tamahori 'will be missed' but 'will definitely be remembered' (opens in new tab) Fri 7 Nov 2025, 8:39pm
   • 'Probably our best director': Temuera Morrison on Lee Tamahori (opens in new tab) Sat 8 Nov 2025, 10:50am
4. Waikato Times via RNZFri 7 Nov 2025, 6:35pm

   Once Were Warriors director Lee Tamahori dies (opens in new tab)

   Also on 1News (opens in new tab), The Post (opens in new tab), Otago Daily Times (opens in new tab), The Press (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesSat 8 Nov 2025, 5:45am

   Director of ‘Once Were Warriors’ Lee Tamahori dies (opens in new tab)

   • Temuera Morrison pays tribute to 'amazing man' Lee Tamahori (opens in new tab) Sat 8 Nov 2025, 5:45am
6. 1NewsSat 8 Nov 2025, 11:39am

   'Incredibly talented person': Film industry pays tribute to Lee Tamahori (opens in new tab)