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WiKuki Kaa

Ngāti Porou
  • Actor
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Wi Kuki Kaa was a diverse, formidable presence on New Zealand stage and screen for almost 30 years. His iconic roles included Iwi in Barry Barclay-directed feature Ngati, Rewi Maniapoto in TV series The Governor, Wiremu in Geoff Murphy-directed Utu, the koroua in Trinity Roots' music video Little Things, a scarecrow maker in Worzel Gummidge Down Under, and many more.

Screenography

Utu Redux
2013 As: Wiremu Film
The Odyssey
2006 Actor Short film
River Queen
2005 As: Old Rangi Film
Turangawaewae / A Place to Stand
2003 As: Tiare Short film

Biography

While not big in stature, Wi Kuki Kaa was a formidable presence on the New Zealand stage and screen for almost 30 years.

Born on December 16, 1938 in Rangitukia, he was one of 12 children of Anglican vicar Reverend Tipi Whenua Kaa and Hohipene Whaanga. The family, whose whakapapa embraces Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hokopu, Te Whānau a Hunaara, Rongomaiwahine, Rakai-Paaka, and Kahungunu, was raised with poetry, books, and stimulating conversation held in both Māori and English.

“Wi, you were a great actor with your best work ahead of you [...]. Your wit, intellect, cheek, and mana will be sadly missed. ”

— Rawiri Paratene in Onfilm magazine, March 2006

Related images

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Wi Kuki Kaa as Wiremu and Bruno Lawrence as Williamson in a scene from Utu.
Kindly provided by Onfilm. Copyright: Victoria Ginn 
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Wi Kuki Kaa in Utu.
Kindly provided by Onfilm. Copyright: Victoria Ginn 
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Producer Larry Parr on set with Wi Kuki Kaa.
Photo appears courtesy of the New Zealand Film Commission.
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Wi Kuki Kaa as Thunderbox in E Tipu E Rea - Thunderbox.
Photo appears courtesy of the New Zealand Film Commission.
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Faifua Amiga as Junior and Wi Kuki Kaa as Thunderbox in a scene from E Tipu E Rea - Thunderbox.
Photo appears courtesy of the New Zealand Film Commission.
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From left to right: writer Bruce Stewart, actor Wi Kuki Kaa and director Lee Tamahori on the set of E Tipu E Rea - Thunderbox.
Photo appears courtesy of the New Zealand Film Commission.