A traditional te reo Māori song has made a prominent appearance in a new Ryan Gosling blockbuster film, with the inclusion drawing significant attention and emotional responses from New Zealand audiences. The iconic song Pō Atarau, widely known as a farewell song deeply embedded in New Zealand cultural identity, features in the box-office topping production. The news has spread rapidly among New Zealand viewers, with many expressing surprise and pride at seeing their cultural heritage represented on a global cinematic stage.
One New Zealand viewer described an immediate physical reaction upon discovering the song's inclusion in the film. "I got goosebumps," the viewer said, reflecting the emotional weight that Pō Atarau carries for many New Zealanders. The song holds significant cultural importance and is frequently associated with moments of farewell, remembrance, and national identity across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Pō Atarau is one of the most recognisable Māori songs in New Zealand, traditionally sung at departures and commemorative occasions. Its appearance in a major Hollywood production marks a notable moment for te reo Māori on the international stage. The inclusion of indigenous language music in mainstream global cinema has been a growing conversation in recent years, and this instance is being seen by some New Zealand audiences as a meaningful cultural milestone.
The film featuring the song currently sits at the top of the box office, meaning the Māori language composition is being heard by audiences on a worldwide scale. Ryan Gosling, who stars in the production, is among Hollywood's most prominent leading actors, lending the film a substantial international profile. The reach of the film means that Pō Atarau may now be introduced to millions of viewers who have had no prior exposure to te reo Māori or New Zealand cultural traditions.
The reaction from New Zealand viewers has largely been one of pride and celebration, with the moment resonating particularly strongly given ongoing efforts to revitalise and promote the Māori language. Te reo Māori was granted official language status in New Zealand in 1987, and successive decades have seen increasing efforts to embed it within mainstream culture and media. The song's appearance in a global blockbuster is being viewed by some commentators as further evidence of te reo Māori's growing presence beyond New Zealand's borders.
Details regarding how the song came to be included in the production, including whether Māori cultural consultants were involved in the process, had not been fully confirmed at the time of reporting. Further information on the context of the song's use within the film's narrative is expected to emerge as audiences and cultural representatives respond publicly in the coming days. RNZ reported the story on 24 March 2026.
