Trouble Is My Business 2008

Student management and discipline at predominantly Polynesian Aorere College in Mangere are the domain of Pakeha assistant principal Mr Peach. Working at the school herself, filmmaker Juliette Veber was intrigued by the man‘s almost comical assumption of authority as he marched about with a megaphone to round up students for class. Why did so many of them tolerate this? Focusing on his dealings with a handful of troubled students, she sees how intuitive his methods are and how attuned to the community. He grew up in Otara himself and believes steadfastly in the value of education and self-respect. No stranger to the challenges the students face at home and on the streets, he has a way of proving how intently interested he is in them as individuals while being completely intolerant of their truancy, drug taking or violence. However un-pc or inelegant his methods, his valiance is beyond question. The question that does hover over Trouble is whether the solutions to the problems these kids face must always be found within their community. — BG