In the villages of New Zealand legend decrees that the first-born male will become chief of the tribe. When Pai is born she is loved by all but rejected by her grandfather who is broken-hearted that there is no son to carry on the line. Pai however is blessed with leadership qualities and struggles to prove herself in a male-dominated world. When a pod of whales is stranded on a nearby beach Pais spiritual affinity with the whales proves she is the true leader of the people...