We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Profile image for Matariki Whatarau

Matariki Whatarau

Actor [Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Whanaunga]

Actor Matariki Whatarau has appeared on screens both big (co-starring as reggae musician Tau, in road movie The Pā Boys) and small (Go Girls). In 2015 he began playing a metrosexual Māori accountant out of touch with his culture, in acclaimed TV comedy Find Me a Māori Bride. He went on to portray Exponents bassist Dave Gent in TV movie Why Does Love? The award-winning theatre actor (I, George Nepia) trained at drama school Toi Whakaari. Also a singer, Whatarau has made screen appearances as part of The Modern Māori Quartet, including co-hosting TV's My Party Song. He presented 2015's My Reggae Song.

I was in my third year at drama school, Toi Whakaari, in 2009, and I was at a party, and I bumped into the director Himiona Grace, and he asked me if I could play the guitar, and I was like 'yep', and he asked me if I could sing, and I went 'yep', and pretty much since then I've been involved. Matariki Whatarau, on how he got a role in The Pā Boys, The NZ Herald interview, 1 February 2014