Happy birthday Ricky Baker - top film turns a decade old

Ten years ago New Zealanders were taken by the skux life, and struggled to shake the iconic earworm "Ricky Baker, ahhh Ricky Baker" - you know the one. Now a decade has swept by, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople remains the highest-grossing local film at the box office.

To celebrate the achievement, it’s back in cinemas for Easter. Nostalgic fans and a new generation can watch it in 4K, starting on Wednesday. Starring Julian Dennison, Sam Neill and Rima Te Wiata, the comedy follows Ricky Baker as he runs into the wild, dodging child welfare services and hunters. 

“In my mind, Julian is still ten years old, I’m still wearing the same trackpants, and we’ve only just finished arguing about snacks in the bush,” said award-winning director Taika Waititi.

On the red carpet, he told rova that Hunt for the Wilderpeople is one of his favourites.

“I don't usually watch my films once I've finished them, but I watched this about a month ago and really enjoyed it after 10 years. It's a really joyful, feel-good family film.”

He also explained to reporters that comedy is a necessity.

“We've always needed it. The world needs ridiculous stuff, it needs silly things and it needs stuff that's a mixture between bits of heart and humanity and also jokes. I think that if you can't laugh we should be very worried.”

Sam Neill, the beloved Jurassic Park actor who plays Hec, spoke to rova about the film’s legacy, and its special place in people’s hearts. 

“Something about the timing and something about its kind of ‘New Zealand-ness,’ struck a chord in people.” 

He’s still recognised on the street as the ‘guy from Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ - though he attributes it to his beard.

“We hadn't made very many funny films up to that point. But also it's more complex than that - it's full of grief and complexity - it's more than a laugh. It's much more than that, and it's actually part of our cultural heritage now,” he said, adding the only way to watch a movie is in the cinema.

“Normally when a film's finished its run it's condemned forever to the small screen so to see it in a proper big theater with proper sound and a proper audience and all my friends, I feel very blessed.”

A chat with Rachel House, ONZM, revealed she’s nothing like her social worker persona, Paula. The Thor: Ragnarok, and We Were Dangerous actress was feeling pretty relaxed on the carpet - the most she has ever been, apparently. 

“You usually turn up to a premiere terrified to watch it with an audience for the first time but these people have already seen it.”

She said the movie belongs to everyone in the country. 

“I think it's more about us all sharing it together and laughing about laughing, and just enjoying ourselves together collectively.”

Ten years ago she was an intern director on the film, working alongside Taika Waititi. In 2024, she celebrated her debut, directing The Mountain.

“I always say I've learned a lot from Taika and from being with all the people assembled here as well, from all the actors that I work with and that I get to work with. It's always a learning process,” she beamed.

Speaking of debuts, 26-year-old Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne was there to celebrate hers as Kahu. She admitted to feeling a bit nervous about the ten year anniversary.

“Hunt for the Wilderpeople is where it started for me as an actress, it was my first ever gig... Last time I was with everyone I was a kid, and obviously I’m grown up now - just seeing everyone in a different light, but in a good way.”

She hadn’t watched the film since the premiere.

“It comes out every Christmas and stuff on TV so I've watched it sometimes. My family would watch it - I'd just pick up some parts,” she said.

Tickets for the Hunt for the Wilderpeople re-release are available until mid-April. NZ Post is also selling commemorative stamps, featuring images Kane Skennar snapped for the film. There’s a limited edition lager from Garage Project, and the official soundtrack has been released on vinyl for the first time. 

Now’s the time to watch, whether it’s in parts or from a cushy cinema seat. We know which one Sam Neill would prefer!