Rawiri Paratene

Rawiri Paratene
Born 1954
Hokianga, New Zealand

Rawiri Paratene ONZM (born 1954) is a New Zealand stage and screen actor, director and writer. He is known for his acting roles in Whale Rider (2002) and The Insatiable Moon (2010).

Biography

Paratene was born in Hokianga, New Zealand in 1954, and is of Nga Puhi descent.[1]

Paratene initially struggled with reading and writing at school, but went on to be the first Maori graduate of the New Zealand Drama School.[2]

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. Today, working in the arts, Paratene aspires to have more Maori stories on film.[3]

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

He is an actor, director and writer and appeared as Friar Lawrence in the 2009 London Globe Theatre production of Romeo and Juliet.

Awards

Personal life and politics

On 18 September 2008 the Green Party announced he was standing as their candidate for Maungakiekie in the 2008 election.[4] He is also the father of Marama Davidson, who also stood for the Green Party in the 2014 election.

References

  1. "All the world's a stage for Rawiri". 21 April 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  2. "Rawiri Paratene - Biography". NZ on Screen. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  3. "Rawiri Paratene stands as Green candidate". Green Party. 18 September 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2008.

External links