Diversity in Whale Rider

Whale Rider is unique, in that it not only teaches its viewers to respect a specific culture, it also teaches them to question its foundations. While many films fall on one side of the spectrum or the other, either touting traditionalism or progress, Niki Caro's remarkable story lives somewhere in between the two. We come to truly understand Paikea's culture, not just for its beauty and validity, but also for its faults and frustrations.
On its surface, we join Paikea in a journey to fight against the misogynistic traditions of her fathers. Paikea excels in all things that should please her grandfather: she is a good dancer, singer, swimmer, and fighter and she upholds their tribes rules and traditions with exactness. But, she is a girl. When fixing the motorboat together, Paikea metaphorically connects the old lineage with the new, and uses it to start the engine, but Koro will have none of it. He warns Paikea to stop messing with the engine, or in other words, to not assume she can fix things. She may have the skills, but the fact that she is a girl makes those skills even more frustrating to Koro. Though the sexist litany is familiar to almost all cultures, Paikea's struggle is unique to her position in the tribe, and we are introduced intimately to its frustrations. When change finally does come, and Paikea is made the rightful chief, we feel relief and a sense of victory.
Despite the fact that this aspect of Maori culture is flawed, Caro approaches other aspects of their culture with sacred respect. The story is from Paikea's perspective, and it is therefore taken for granted throughout the film that the tenants of their beliefs are true. The whales are the wise gods of the film, watching over Paikea's life. There is no question whether it would be a good choice for Paikiea to pursue the position of chief or 'prophet' in this tribe: it is taken for granted that it is something that she wants and something that will bring her fulfillment. Throughout the film, we see touching examples of how these belief systems bring the community together. Whether it is in the dance hall, on the beach rescuing the whales, or finally, rowing out to sea in their boat, their unique beliefs bind these people together in a way that brings about true love, compassion, and forgiveness.
Niki Caro is not interested in throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Though she recognizes the failings of this Maori tribe, she also sees its beauty and power. Thus, we as the audience both feel like we can identify with these people, but also respectfully recognize that they are unique from us. We all experience joy and frustration in our own cultures, and here, it is no difference. Rather than undermining or exoticizing the Maori, Whale Rider shows us the complete picture, a group of people we can relate to, and also see for their beautiful differences.