When a storm washes a canoe bearing an infant boy ashore upon a small South Pacific island, he is at first well-received as a gift from the heavens, even to the point of the tribal chief adopting him as a successor. However, with time as hardships are blamed upon Tama (as he is named), he is finally outcast to live with the poorest people on the island, Mahana and her drunken father. Mahana is considered homely and undesirable, but Tama feels differently, so when he is old enough to build a craft to sail away, he vows to return for her one day. A lucky stroke brings him to land upon the island of the legendary Johnny Lingo, the wealthiest trader in the islands, and after years of service to him, Tama has learned much about life and himself as he dreams of honoring his pledge to Mahana.
George Henare
Rawiri Paratene
Joe Folau
Alvin Fitisemanu
Kayte Ferguson
Peter Sa'ena Brown
Hori Ahipene
Jim Perry
Sima Urale
Goeretti Chadwick
Tausani Simei-Barton
Fokikovi Soakimi
Esela Alo
Sela Apera
Christina Asher
Suivai Autagaia
Tungia Baker
Teuila Blakely
Ross Duncan
Taungaroa Emile
Stephanie Erick
David Fane
Mele Lola Fifita
Daniel Logan
Fiona MacFarlane
Rene Naufahu
Elizabeth Skeen
Pete Smith
Bodie Taylor
Veronica Tone
Aleni Tufuga
Ateli Valahi