Joy, confidence ahead of Q Theatre debut
One of New Zealand’s national treasures, Rawiri Paratene, is taking on a role made famous by another national treasure, replacing George Henare in the return season of Carl Bland’s play . He talks to Mike Alexander.
Rawiri Paratene has excelled as an actor, writer, director, producer and tutor. His career highlights include Whale Rider and his award-winning performance in The Insatiable Moon.
He performed at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London and joined the ensemble in the history-making Hamlet World Tour, which toured every country on the planet. I’m excited and nervous at the prospect of Te Po¯ . Back in 2013, I think, I worked on the workshop of this script and it is great to finally get a chance to take on the role of Werihe.
I amalso looking forward to making my debut at Q Theatre, which has been such a great addition to our theatre scene here in Ta¯maki Makaurau. I’m nervous about stepping into the shoes of George Henare, but I am more nervous about having to sing three big ballads. But it means I get to work with my old mate John Gibson (musical director) and that gives me joy and confidence. Wow, it is impossible for me to narrow this down to one person.
So I amgoing to list a few then pick one: My elder and dear friend Dr Patu Hohepa is possibly the most knowledgeable of my amazing colleagues and whanaunga (relatives), and yes I know and work with lots of brainy people; Among the artists I work with I certainly admire Dominic Dromgoole, formerly the director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, I have admired for many decades John Gibson and George Henare, I admire Nancy Brunning, Rachel House and Briar Grace Smith – just three of the impressive Ma¯ori theatricians that have taken NZ Theatre forward, I admire Taika Waititi and Cliff Curtis who are outstanding models for young Ma¯ori. I admire all my kids who have all been high achievers all their lives; I admire my wife Lester who simply lives to her beliefs every moment of her life and who has been a huge influence on how I live mine – so Lester gets my vote. Again, there are too many and frankly I amstill too embarrassed to mention any of them. I hate to admit it in front of my kids and mokopuna but yes, I have stolen. When I was about 10 I was caught stealing some chocolate from the local service station on the way home from school and was taken home in a police car.
I should have learnt my lesson that day but I have shoplifted on other occasions as an adult, ages ago now. I actually abhor the culture of theft that seems to be part of who we are as New Zealanders. That’s easy, ever since I was a kid I have dreamt of being on our tribal waka, Nga¯tokimatahourua with our tupuna chief and captain of said waka, Nukuta¯whiti, when it first sighted the mouth of the Hokianga Harbour – tihei mauriora! Maybe I’d work as a genetic scientist because it’s a field that astounds! This is too hard because I instinctively want to be quite selfish with these but I will be more humanitarian: that Aotearoa would be truly bilingual with all New Zealanders fluent in te reo Ma¯ori, that the world knew true and lasting peace, that world poverty was obliterated. ● Te Po¯ , Q Theatre, Auckland, October 25 to November 4.