Tracker

The movie begins by referencing the Boer War, which was the first conflict where New Zealanders fought abroad. Approximately 6,000 volunteers fought alongside the British against the Boers in South Africa. The war ended with the defeat of the Boers and the loss of their families and farms.

After the war's end, defeated Boers, having lost their farms and families, joined other returning soldiers in search of a new homeland. This movement sets the backdrop for subsequent events and characters' motivations.

The scene shifts to 1903 in a New Zealand harbor, where Major Carlysle inspects the docking list, recognizing the name Arjan van Diemen and summoning customs to pull him aside for questioning. The encounter sparks tension given van Diemen's past actions in South Africa.

Sergeant Saunders recognizes van Diemen as a notorious butcher of British soldiers and intervenes, leading to his arrest. Major Carlysle expresses regret that some people do not realize the war is over and reflects on his unsuccessful effort to track van Diemen previously.

Kereama, a Maori, is shown having sex with Lucy, a prostitute, during a night at the stable. Kereama shows respect by wearing a pouch with his grandfather's dust, symbolizing his cultural roots and connection to his homeland.

Drunk Saunders and his men attack Kereama, leading to a fight where Saunders unintentionally kills his own corporal. Kereama escapes, leaving Lucy frightened and bruised, while Saunders and others suspect him of murder.

Major Carlysle organizes a search party led by Bryce with a local tracker, aiming to capture Kereama. Van Diemen offers a reward for Kereama's capture, suspecting he is homeward bound, and learns that Kereama left his whaling ship recently.

Van Diemen follows the trail inland and successfully captures Kereama. They share a memorable conversation about their backgrounds and respective hatred for the British, revealing Van Diemen's lost family and his complex feelings about the war.

Kereama tells Van Diemen about his desire to restore his family's honor and his plan to fight. They argue over their reasons for hatred, and during a moral crisis, Kereama tries to drown himself but is pulled out, leading to a tense confrontation.

Kereama and Van Diemen have a brutal fight at a waterfall, where Kereama asks Van Diemen to shoot him so he won't die dishonorably like his grandfather. Van Diemen shoots him, and Kereama's body is left underwater as Van Diemen prays outside the cave.

Van Diemen leaves the mountain with Kereama's body, and Major Carlysle finds a finger in a bandage, claiming it as a trophy. Van Diemen claims Kereama was courageous, but it's implied that he spared him intentionally, hiding the truth about his survival.

Back at his base, Carlysle orders his men to watch every port and whaling station for a Maori with a missing finger, indicating that Van Diemen’s objectives include capturing Kereama alive. There is a plan to hunt him down again.

Van Diemen, now aware of Carlysle’s suspicion, departs the island on a launch after accepting a reward, knowing the Maori is still alive. The final scenes hint at ongoing pursuit and unresolved conflicts about justice and revenge.

Carlysle realizes Kereama is still alive and commands his soldiers to find him. This signifies the enduring quest to capture or eliminate Kereama, emphasizing the unresolved tension from the events.

Kereama appears at a station where officials are suspicious but ultimately do not arrest him, leaving him free but under surveillance. The complex cycle of pursuit continues, leaving an open ending about his fate.