Hei Tiki also known as Primitive Passions and Hei Tiki: A Saga of the Maoris was a 1935 American film made in New Zealand by the eccentric Alexander Markey, and released with sound added in America.
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It is one of four films (with The Devil's Pit, Down on the Farm and On the Friendly Road) which lay claim to be the first "New Zealand talkie", although dubious as the sound was added in America.
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The film was released in America with sound added; a symphonic score by Oscar Potoker was added using the RCA Photophone System and also "voice-over" narration which avoided problems of synchronisation.
It is one of four films made in 1935 (with The Devil's Pit, Down on the Farm, and Hei Tiki) which lay claim to be the first 'New Zealand talkie", although dubious as the film was not released until 1936.
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Several actors who have recently appeared in high-profile movies filmed in New Zealand have come back wearing such jewellery, including Viggo Mortensen of The Lord of the Rings fame who took to wearing a hei matau around his neck.