Rawiri Paratene
| Rawiri Paratene | |
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| Born | 1954 Hokianga, New Zealand |
Rawiri Paratene is an accomplished actor on stage and screen in New Zealand.
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[edit] Biography
Born in Hokianga, Paratene is from the Maori iwi (tribe) of Nga Puhi. Paratene has appeared in a large number of television, stage and film roles. He is also a theatrical director and writer for film, television and theatre. He is also a published poet.[1]
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Film
Paratene is best known internationally for his role in the New Zealand film Whale Rider (2002), in which he played the male lead, Koro, alongside Oscar-nominated actress Keisha Castle-Hughes and Cliff Curtis.[2]
[edit] Television
Paratene is one of New Zealand's best known and versatile actors, starting his career on television as a children's presenter on Play School[3] and in a sitcom, Joe and Koro. He guest starred in the 6th season of Xena Warrior Princess, in episode "Legacy". Paratene played Joe Hudson on the New Zealand television series Shortland Street.
[edit] Theatre
He is an actor, director and writer and appeared as Friar Lawrence in the 2009 London Globe Theatre production of Romeo and Juliet.
[edit] Nga Tamatoa
As a young student in the 1970s, Paratene was a member of Nga Tamatoa an activist organisation which fought for Maori rights, land, language and culture. Paratene was President of the Wellington chapter of Nga Tamatoa. Today, working in the arts, Paratene aspires to have more Maori stories on film.[4]
[edit] Awards
- 2011 Aotearoa Film & Television Award for Best Actor in a Feature Film - The Insatiable Moon (Arthur)
- 1996 NZ Film & Television Award for Best Actor - Dead Cert (Hare)
- 1983 Winner of the Robert Burns Fellowship
- 1980 Winner Mobil Radio Award for 'Proper Channels' Radio Play (Production)
- 1980 Winner Mobil Radio Award for 'Proper Channels' Radio Play (Writing)
- 1976 Winner of the Maori Writers' Award
[edit] Politics
On 18 September 2008 the Green Party announced he was standing as their candidate for Maungakiekie.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.library.otago.ac.nz/exhibitions/burns/rawiriparatene.html
- ^ http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/rawiri-paratene/biography
- ^ http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/play-school-1975
- ^ http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3326/features/1434/rawiri_paratene.html
- ^ "Rawiri Paratene stands as Green candidate". Green Party. 18 September 2008. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0809/S00414.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
[edit] External links
- Biography at NZ On Screen
- Interview, The Listener NZ literary magazine
- Rawiri Paratene at the Internet Movie Database
- Rawiri Paratene's information page at his Agent's website
- Globe Theatre London Romeo & Juliet
