LOKO: A Story of Redemption
The rise fall and redemption of Hip Hop artist KD Lok. A documentary about mental health music and reconnecting with Māori identity.
Matty Paparoa spent seven years living in the bush behind a Titirangi cafe hiding from his past. This film follows his two year journey from homelessness back to the stage and back to his whakapapa.
Where to Watch
Full 60 minute feature: Māori Television
7 part series: NZ Herald
The film
Loko traces Matty's path from gang member to rapper to homeless to recovery. It is a story about mental health fatherhood music and reconnecting with his Māori identity.
We followed him as he rebuilt relationships confronted his past and tried to reignite his music career. Some days he was ready to talk. Some days he was not. You cannot rush someone's recovery.
The film premiered as a seven part series on NZ Herald then aired as a feature documentary on Māori Television.
Care and responsibility
Matty was incredibly brave to share his story. We knew we had a responsibility to take care of him throughout the process.
We provided counseling sessions and emotional support during filming. This was not just about getting the footage. It was about making sure Matty was safe supported and that the process itself did not harm him.
His journey to reconnect with his Māoritanga became central to his recovery and to the film.
What we are proud of
This was not just about documenting someone's story. It was about building trust with someone who had every reason not to trust people with cameras.
Matty let us into his world over two years. We saw him perform again reconnect with whānau face the music industry that thought he was gone. The film became part of his recovery process.
How we found Loko
My co-director Tom Reilly owned a cafe in Titirangi. Behind it living in the bush was a man named Matty. Tom started talking to him eventually asked him to work in the kitchen washing dishes.
One day while working Matty starts rapping. Tom asks him what is with the singing.
I used to be a famous rapper. I opened shows for Snoop Dogg and Nelly.
We did not believe him. But we thought well let us check it out.
Turned out to be true.
Matty Paparoa known as KD Lok in the hip hop world had been a successful musician. Then he disappeared. Everyone in the music industry thought he was dead.
He had been hiding in the bush in Titirangi for seven years. Running from his past gangs violence mental illness. He chose Titirangi to be close to his son.
We spent two years following his journey back.
Credits
- Directors — Tom Reilly, Diego Opatowski
- Director of Photography — Diego Opatowski
- Editor — Bridget Lyon
- Post Production — POW Studio
- Producers — Vanessa Patea, Ruth Korver
- Funded by NZ On Air and Mental Health Foundation
- Broadcast on NZ Herald and Māori Television
- 60 minute feature plus 7 part series