After a long voyage from Scotland, musician Ada McGrath and her little daughter Flora are abandoned on a New Zealand beach with all of their belongings, including a piano. Ada, who has been mute since childhood, has been arranged for marriage to Alisdair Stewart, a local guy. Ada is quickly captivated by Alisdair's Maori-friendly acquaintance, George Baines, causing to tense, life-altering confrontations despite her lack of interest in Alisdair.