They Call Me Wazza

They Call Me Wazza is a mini documentary that intimately captures the remarkable journey of Warren Hawke, a well-known surf photographer from Christchurch.

Amidst his fascinating world working in natures’ ultimate elements, diving into Hawke’s day-to-day life uncovers a new and unknown journey.

Confronted with the harsh reality of his battle with cancer, They Call Me Wazza connects with the audience in a vulnerable way by sharing this challenging experience.

Filmed against the breathtaking backdrop of Ōtautahi and the wider South Island, every frame of this visually stunning masterpiece serves as a testament to Hawke’s unwavering passion for capturing the perfect wave.

As a film maker Jonathan Smit was drawn to Hawke for many reasons, one being he simply enjoyed his company.

“I look for authenticity in the main character. Someone in touch with their emotions. Someone I can happily spend time with and discuss the film project with, receiving their thoughts and feedback. Someone who is looking for change in their life,” he says.

It was a happy coincidence the pair met, appropriately at the beach where they were both capturing the waves.

“One of the first times I met Warren was a gorgeous morning at Sumner beach. We were both in the water taking photos. He was a hoot, we both stood in hip deep water yarning away all the while taking the occasional photograph. A man on a longboard tried to cut in front of Warren and lost control, his board hurtling towards Warren with the whitewash. The board struck him in the face and when he resurfaced, he had blood dripping from his ear,” Smit says.

“So that was our first encounter, since then we've been on surf trips together and he's always keen for a coffee if I see him at the beach. He's not a hard man to track down, wait for some near good waves and look down the beach for the guy with the biggest lens.”

Hawke found surfing as a teenager and never looked back. His travels to find the best waves eventually led him to meet his wife as well as a tight-knit community of local surfers. While his days on the board have come to an end, he remains firmly behind the lens.

“As I found it more and more difficult, I bought longer and longer boards and ended up with a stand-up paddle board. But I only rode that in the surf a couple of times and now I don't. I haven't surfed at all since about 2010. But I'm still taking photos every day there's good surf,” says Hawke.

“There's a golden rule in surf photography that you only shoot the best surfers and the best waves and the best light.”

His expert eye and that golden rule never let him down, knowing the surfers he chooses to photograph will translate to breathtaking images. Many of his favourites are captured only a stone's throw from his home.

The seaside area of New Brighton is where Hawke calls home. His connection to nature, community and his family are the reasons he loves where he lives. Being close to the sea and now stepping into a new role as a grandfather, he lives each day with a deep gratitude for his life.

For both Smit and Hawke, this project has been a fulfilling one. As one of Doc Edge’s ‘shorts’ the film runs for just over 9 minutes, taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, showcasing the determination of a man facing his greatest challenge.

“It's very special to have Warren's film premiering at Doc Edge in Christchurch. I know it means a lot to Wazza and he's pumped to bring his friends and family along,” says Smit.

They Call Me Wazza will be screened before the feature film Habana Shakes during Doc Edge 2024.

Visit Doc Edge Festival 2024 for more information about the festival, including the full programme.