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OscarKightley

  • Actor
  • Writer
  • Director
Oscar 1920x1080 (1)

Oscar Kightley, MNZM, is a man of many talents. After launching The Naked Samoans, he worked with the comedy troupe over five seasons of hit series bro’Town, NZ's first animated show to play in prime time. The group also featured in movie Sione’s Wedding and its 2012 sequel, both of which Kightley co-wrote. In 2013 he took on a serious role: starring as a Samoan-Kiwi detective in TV series Harry.

Screenography

Next Goal Wins
2023 Actor Film
When Bob Came
2023 Executive Producer Television
Dawn Raid
2021 Director Film
Untold Pacific History
2021 Subject (episode 4) Series

Biography

Oscar Kightley has brought his writing and performing talents to stage, television and the big screen. Along the way he has been a key player in bringing Pasifika stories into New Zealand's mainstream.

Born in the Samoan capital, Apia, as Vai To'elau Osa Isa'ako Mase, Kightley emigrated to Aotearoa at age four, after the death of his father. He grew up with an aunt and uncle, one of eight children in the West Auckland suburb of Te Atatu.

Awards

2023 New Zealand Television Awards/Ngā Taonga Whakaata O Aotearoa
Television Legend

2016 Arts Pasifika Awards (Creative New Zealand)
Senor Pacific Artist Award (shared with Dave Fane)

“A revolutionary who has changed the complexion of local popular culture.”

— Writer Diana Wichtel in The Listener, 9 December 2006

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
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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
Sione_s_Wedding_Gallery_Living_Room.jpg
From left Iaheto Ah Hi as Stanley, Oscar Kightley as Albert, Shimpal Lelisi as Sefa and Robbie Magasiva as Michael in a scene from Sione's Wedding.
©South Pacific Pictures.
Sione_s_Wedding_Gallery_male_cast.jpg
From left: Robbie Magasiva as Michael, Iaheto Ah Hi as Stanley, Shimpal Lelisi as Sefa, Oscar Kightley as Albert and David Fane as Bolo aka D-Rizzle from Sione's Wedding.
©South Pacific Pictures.
Sione_s_Wedding_Gallery_men.jpg
From left: Iaheto Ah Hi, Oscar Kightley, Shimpal Lelisi, Robbie Magasiva and David Fane in a scene from Sione's Wedding.
©South Pacific Pictures.
Oscar-Kightley-gallery-image-7.jpg
Oscar Kightley and friend in 2013 documentary Rooster Rooster Dragon Rat - Oscar's Guide to the Chinese Zodiac. 
Photo supplied by Elizabeth Mitchell
Oscar-Kightley-Gallery-10.jpg
A still from Oscar Kightley short Tom’s Dairy (2013): Johnny (Mac Kaisuva) and Angelique (Janelle Chung). Nominated for four Moa awards including Best Short Film, it was produced by Elizabeth Mitchell.
Photo supplied by Elizabeth Mitchell
Oscar-Kightley-Gallery-8.jpg
A shot from 2013's Tom’s Dairy. The short film about a Samoan boy growing up in West Auckland features Mac Kaisuva (in grey shirt) in the main role, with support from John Vaifale (yellow short) . Oscar Kightley wrote and directed, while the producer was Elizabeth Mitchell. 
Photo supplied by Elizabeth Mitchell
Oscar-Kightley-Gallery-11.jpg
A scene from 2013 documentary Rooster Rooster Dragon Rat - Oscar's Guide to the Chinese Zodiac. 
Photo supplied by Elizabeth Mitchell
3._Johnny_and_Oscar
Director Oscar Kightley with Johnny (Mac Kaisuva) in 2013 Short Film Tom's Dairy.
© Firehorse Films