Set in the 1960s, the story revolves around two Maori families, the Mahanas and the Poatas, who earn their livelihood by shearing sheep along New Zealand’s east coast. These two clans are fierce adversaries, competing against each other in the yearly sheep shearing contests. At the heart of the Mahana family is 14-year-old Simeon, a brave schoolboy who challenges the authority of his grandfather, Tamihana, and questions his traditional beliefs. As Simeon delves into the origins of the longstanding rivalry between the families, the community’s established hierarchies and structures begin to crumble. Tamihana, known for his pride and obstinacy, refuses to adapt or consider new approaches, further fueling the discord.