Kiel McNaughton

Manurewa-bred Kiel McNaughton followed stunt work and study at Unitec with a five year stint playing beloved Shortland Street nurse James 'Scotty' Scott. Alongside his wife Kerry Warkia, he founded Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions in 2006, where he has directed shows Find Me a Māori Bride, This is Piki, and Nia’s Extra Ordinary Life, New Zealand’s first web series for kids. McNaughton and Warkia went on to produce anthology movies Waru and Vai, which was shot across the Pacific. In February 2020 McNaughton made his debut as a feature film director, with action movie The Legend of Baron To'a.  

We were born in 2006, founded by actors who wanted to shape their own opportunities for rewarding work. Brown celebrates our ethnicity. Sugar symbolises fun that comes from creativity. Apple as a reminder to be natural. Grunt recognises the effort required to deliver successful content. It's also the name of our favourite dessert. Founding manifesto for Kiel McNaughton's production company, Brown Sugar Apple Grunt