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MarioGaoa

  • Writer
  • Actor
Mario_Gaoa_Key_Profile.jpg

The part-Samoan and fairly talented Mario Gaoa has been a writer, director and the voice of God. Part of the team behind comedy troupe the Naked Samoans and animated show bro’ Town, Gaoa supplied a number of voices for the hit series. These days he runs production company Tikilounge, with his partner Lisa Taouma.

Biography

Mario Gaoa is best known for voicing the characters of Sione Tapili and God in the animated series bro'Town, which he also co-wrote.

Gaoa grew up in Auckland's Mount Roskill. He attended Balmoral Intermediate School where he met fellow Naked Samoan Shimpal Lelisi. 

Screenography

Tinā
2024 Producer Film
We Are Still Here
2022 Writer, Director Film
Teine Sā - The Ancient Ones (excerpts)
2021 Director, Writer (episode 2) Web
Legendary Polynesia
2019 Writer, Actor Series
Marks of Mana
2018 Editor Web

Awards

2025 New Zealand Screen Awards / Ngā Taonga Whakaata O Aotearoa
Nominated for Best Feature Film (with Dan Higgins and Miki Magasiva): for Tinā

2008 Qantas Film and Television Awards (New Zealand)
Nominated for Best Script - Drama/Comedy Programme (with David Fane, Shimpal Leslisi, Oscar Kightley and Elizabeth Mitchell): for bro'Town

“Having the fullas around and stealing their ideas.”

— Mario Gaoa, when asked what was the easiest thing about bro’Town’s scriptwriting

Related images

bro_Town_Creators_shot__maka_.jpg
All of the bro'Town creators and producers animated! Left back row: Maka Makatoa, Elizabeth Mitchell, Ant Sang. Middle Row: Mario Gaoa, Oscar Kightley, Shimpal Lelisi. Lying down: David Fane.
©Firehorse Films
group_shot_everyone_0026.jpg
The bro'Town characters hang out with their creators (and voices). From left David Fane (voice of Jeff da Māori and Mack, who is on the far right in purple), producer Elizabeth Mitchell, Mario Gaoa (standing - his character Sione Tapili is in orange glasses on the right), Oscar Kightley (Vale Pepelo, in glasses) and Shimpal Lelisi (Valeo Pepelo, who is between Mitchell and Kightley).
© Firehorse Films
bro_Town_and_the_Naked_Samoans_cast_shot.jpg
bro'Town cast hang out with creators The Naked Samoans. From left: David Fane, Mario Gaoa (standing), Oscar Kightley (sitting) and Shimpal Lelisi.
© Firehorse Films