Tungia Baker

Tungia Baker (1941 – 27 July 2005) was a New Zealand Māori actress whose notable film roles include Hira in The Piano.[1]

The daughter of noted Ngāti Raukawa elder Matenga Baker of Ōtaki, she was a National Representative of American Field Service, pioneering marae visits for incoming AFS scholars.[2]

Tungia Baker was invested in contemporary Māori theatre[3] and was a role model. Alongside others Baker influenced younger practitioners as stated by actor, director and producer Nancy Brunning: "I thank Tungia Baker, Wi Kuki Kaa, Rona Bailey, Bob Wiki, Rowley Habib, Don Selwyn and Keri Kaa for creating and establishing a Māori theatre industry for us." [4]

Baker was closely associated with Raukawa Marae and Rangiatea Church, Ōtaki. In the last part of her life, she lived on the West Coast.

She died of cancer on 27 July 2005[1] and is buried in Rangiatea churchyard.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1993The PianoHira
2003The Legend of Johnny LingoTurtle Island Grandmother(final film role)
gollark: Indeed. You can't have a giant superdreadnought-level armoury and also a small enough amount of mass to lighthug.
gollark: Well, they probably can't have great weaponry (except the drive) and also fly amazingly.
gollark: Or radians Celsius.
gollark: Just use degrees felsius.
gollark: Wireless charging?

References
  1. Lentz, Harris M. (2006). Obituaries In The Performing Arts, 2005. McFarland & Co. p. 17. ISBN 0-7864-2489-3.
  2. www.afsnzl.org.nz
  3. Smythe, John (2004). Downstage upfront : the first 40 years of New Zealand's longest-running professional theatre. Wellington, N.Z.: Victoria University Press. ISBN 0-86473-489-1. OCLC 60386677.
  4. "Pantograph Punch - Loose Canons: Nancy Brunning". Pantograph Punch. Retrieved 30 April 2020.


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