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Guardians of Hope premieres in Aotearoa from the 19th of May to the 2nd of June, putting the spotlight on rangers.A film by Amanda Dudgeon
Guardians of Hope, filmed during Australian ranger Amanda Dudgeon’s extraordinary 94,000km solo expedition through Oceania, brings audiences face-to-face with the people on the frontlines of conservation – including rangers working across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Between 2022 and 2023, Amanda travelled through eight Oceania nations – Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste – meeting more than 150 rangers protecting land and sea in some of the world’s most diverse and vulnerable environments.
“From ngahere to coastline, rangers are protecting not just ecosystems, but communities, culture and future generations,” Amanda said. “In Aotearoa, I witnessed the strength of collaboration between rangers, iwi and communities – and a deep passion for looking after te taiao.”
Amanda, a practising ranger herself, documents the realities of ranger life – conservation enforcement, fire and incident response, biodiversity protection, education, and the emotional toll of climate change and environmental degradation.
More than just guardians of wildlife and wilderness, these rangers are firefighters, educators, cultural custodians, and frontline responders. They face challenges from natural disasters, trauma, and underfunding - but they persevere with determination, passion, and above all, hope.
With powerful stories from Indigenous custodians, junior ranger mentors, and conservation leaders, Guardians of Hope highlights the deep connection between rangers and the land they protect. It explores the emotional and cultural weight of the profession, and the unbreakable bonds forged through shared purpose.
The film also honors rangers who have died in the line of duty. During her journey, Amanda walked 1,600km in memory of more than 1,000 rangers lost globally over the past decade.
The New Zealand launch of Guardians of Hope is proudly supported by Rangers of Aotearoa New Zealand (ROANZ).
About ROANZ
ROANZ focuses on ranger wellbeing, training and professional development, and building strong connections with Oceania and international ranger networks, including the International Ranger Federation.
“This film speaks directly to why ROANZ exists,” Cinzia Vestena, DOC ranger and ROANZ secretary said. “Rangers play a critical role in protecting te taiao, yet many feel isolated and under-recognised. Guardians of Hope helps the public understand who rangers are, why our work matters, and why supporting the profession is so important.”
Inspired by the Oceania Rangers’ Forum in Rotorua in 2022, ROANZ brings together rangers working for iwi, local and central government, NGOs and community organizations across the motu.
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Event Venue
50 Stanley St, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand, 50 Stanley St, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand, Queenstown
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