Fate weaves its tricky threads amongst the garment of intrigue and mystery shrouding Miri, a beautiful young Maori woman. Her attempt to materialize her childhood obsession and fantasy to be other than she is, only serves to create a mantle of despair to hover over her life. Her choices, and her mistakes, impact upon her children's lives as well as those she unwittingly influences. These adults are confronted by their own personal weaknesses, and they are given cause to examine their religious and spiritual beliefs, their family relationships, as well as the cultural expectations, bigotry and prejudice, accepted as the norm within pre and post World War II New Zealand society.