Co-directed and helped manage the creation of the adult cartoon series, Aroha Bridge, since it’s inception in 2013. Created, written, and co-directed by Jessica Hansell and produced by Piki Films.

‘Aroha Bridge’ is back with a cartoon snapshot of the multicultural melting pot that is Aotearoa, Focusing on authentic, urban Māori characters with humour and style, the cartoon broadens out to follow the adventures of the whole Hook whanau as they navigate the complex and hilarious circumstances growing up in a bicultural and eclectic community. This series delves even deeper into the racial politics and millennial Māori anxieties that manifest in the animated hubbub suburb of ‘Aroha Bridge’. The extended Hook family are a micro society unto themselves and this season we explore the wacky wider Aroha Bridge community – hustling hoodlum Tapi (Julian Dennison), track-suit-wearing Whaea Bubbles (played by Rachel House), and a strangely altruistic Mayor (Oscar Kightley). Mixed in with the regular all star cast of jock aunts, activist uncles, internalised-racism fathers and more. Our core cast returns in full; Jessica Hansell, Madeleine Sami, Rizván Tu’Itahi, Frankie Stevens, and Scotty Cotter. Aroha Bridge is a multi-cultural medley that all kiwis can relate to.

Enjoying a cult following, and based on a comic strip, the series is created by writer and musician Jessica ‘Coco’ Hansell. Hansell directs with Simon Ward, illustrations from Don Brooker, animated at Showbag Entertainment, and the show is produced by Morgan Waru and Carthew Neal at Piki Films (The Breaker Upperers, Hunt for the Wilderpeople).

WATCH SERIES 3 OF AROHA BRIDGE HERE

Made with generous support from NZ On Air