Wi Kuki Kaa
Encyclopedia
Wi Kuki Kaa was an acclaimed New Zealand
actor in film, theatre and television. He was from the Maori tribes of Ngati Porou
and Ngati Kahungunu
.
(1987), written by Tama Poata
and directed by Barry Barclay
. Kaa won the "Best Film Performance, Male" at the 1988 New Zealand Film and TV Awards
for this role. He also played a lead role in the film Utu
(1983) directed by Geoff Murphy
. Kaa also acted as the ADR artist for the 2003 short film, Two Cars, One Night
. Kaa featured in the music video Little Things by Wellington roots dub band Trinity Roots. In 2006, Kaa died in Wellington
aged 67.
Television roles
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
actor in film, theatre and television. He was from the Maori tribes of Ngati Porou
Ngati Porou
Ngāti Porou is a Māori iwi traditionally located in the East Cape and Gisborne regions of the North Island of New Zealand. Ngāti Porou has the second-largest affiliation of any iwi in New Zealand, with 71,910 registered members in 2006...
and Ngati Kahungunu
Ngati Kahungunu
Ngāti Kahungunu is a Māori iwi located along the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The iwi is traditionally centred in the Hawke’s Bay and Tararua and Wairārapa regions....
.
Biography
Kaa featured in many films, including the lead role of 'Iwi' in NgatiNgati
Ngati is a 1987 New Zealand feature film directed by Barry Barclay, written by Tama Poata and produced by John O'Shea.-Production:Ngati is of historical and cultural significance in New Zealand as it is the first feature film written and directed by Māori. Producer John O'Shea, an icon in New...
(1987), written by Tama Poata
Tama Poata
Tama Te Kapua Poata was a New Zealand writer, actor, humanitarian and activist. He was from the Māori tribe of Ngati Porou. He was also known as 'Tom,' the transliteration of 'Tama.'-Background:...
and directed by Barry Barclay
Barry Barclay
Barry Barclay, MNZM was a New Zealand filmmaker and writer of Maori and Pākehā descent.-Background:...
. Kaa won the "Best Film Performance, Male" at the 1988 New Zealand Film and TV Awards
New Zealand Film and TV Awards
The New Zealand Film and TV Awards were awarded in New Zealand from 1986 through 2003, and were supplanted by the New Zealand Film Awards.-Film Awards:In 2003 film awards were given in the following categories:*Best Film*Best Actor*Best Actress...
for this role. He also played a lead role in the film Utu
Utu (film)
Utu is a 1983 New Zealand movie directed by Geoff Murphy. It starred Anzac Wallace. Utu was reputed to have one of the largest budgets for a New Zealand film at the time...
(1983) directed by Geoff Murphy
Geoff Murphy
Geoff Murphy is a successful New Zealand filmmaker best known for his work during the renaissance of New Zealand cinema that began in the last half of the 1970s....
. Kaa also acted as the ADR artist for the 2003 short film, Two Cars, One Night
Two Cars, One Night
Two Cars, One Night is a short film written and directed by Taika Waititi. Released in 2003, the film is about two boys and a girl meeting in the carpark of a rural pub in Te Kaha, New Zealand...
. Kaa featured in the music video Little Things by Wellington roots dub band Trinity Roots. In 2006, Kaa died in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
aged 67.
Filmography
Film roles- UtuUtu (film)Utu is a 1983 New Zealand movie directed by Geoff Murphy. It starred Anzac Wallace. Utu was reputed to have one of the largest budgets for a New Zealand film at the time...
(1983), Wiremu - The BountyThe BountyThe Bounty is a 1984 British historical film directed by Roger Donaldson, starring Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins, and produced by Bernard Williams with Dino De Laurentiis as executive producer. It is the fifth film version of the story of the mutiny on the Bounty. The screenplay was by Robert Bolt...
(1984), King Tynah - Kingpin (1985), Mr Nathan
- NgatiNgatiNgati is a 1987 New Zealand feature film directed by Barry Barclay, written by Tama Poata and produced by John O'Shea.-Production:Ngati is of historical and cultural significance in New Zealand as it is the first feature film written and directed by Māori. Producer John O'Shea, an icon in New...
(1987), Iwi - Linda's Body (1990), Hemi
- Te Rau (1991), Rewi
- The Diamond of Jeru (2001), Inghai - TV film
- TurangawaewaeTurangawaewaeTurangawaewae Marae is a very significant marae of the Māori people of New Zealand and is the headquarters for the Māori King Movement...
(2002), Tiare (Koro) - Der Liebe entgegen (2002), Henry Tufare - TV film
- River QueenRiver QueenRiver Queen is a 2005 New Zealand film directed by Vincent Ward and starring Samantha Morton, Kiefer Sutherland and Cliff Curtis. The film opened to mixed reviews but performed well at the local box-office.-Plot:...
(2005), Old Rangi
Television roles
- Homicide (1971), Rollo - one episode
- SpyforceSpyforceSpyforce was an Australian TV series produced from 1971 to 1973, based upon the adventures of Australian Military Intelligence operatives in the South West Pacific during World War II...
(1973), various characters - four episodes - Silent NumberSilent numberIn telephony, a silent number, unlisted number , ex-directory number or private number is a telephone number that is intentionally not listed in telephone books....
(1974), Tony - one episode - Worzel Gummidge Down UnderWorzel Gummidge Down UnderWorzel Gummidge Down Under, adapted from the books written by Barbara Euphan Todd and the children's television programme produced and broadcasted in the United Kingdom named Worzel Gummidge, starring Jon Pertwee...
(1986–1987), Travelling Scarecrow Maker - four episodes - The StripThe Strip (NZ TV series)The Strip is the story of corporate lawyer Melissa Walker, who decides her life needs a new direction and quits her job after finding her husband in bed with his male lover...
(2002), Bible Bill - one episode