Wi Kuki Kaa

Wi Kuki Kaa (16 December 1938 – 19 February 2006) was a New Zealand actor in film, theatre and television. He was from the Maori tribes of Ngati Porou and Ngati Kahungunu.

Wi Kuki Kaa
Born(1938-12-16)16 December 1938
Died19 February 2006(2006-02-19) (aged 67)
Wellington, New Zealand
OccupationActor

Family

Kaa was born in Rangitukia on New Zealand's East Cape. His father was the Reverend Tipi Whenua Kaa, from Rangitukia, who was vicar of the Waiapu parish and his mother Hohipene Kaa (formerly Whaanga) was from Wairoa. He was one of 12 children: his siblings include the writer and te reo advocate Keri Kaa, Hone Kaa, an Anglican church leader, child welfare advocate, and Arapera Blank, a writer and poet.[1]

Career

Kaa featured in many films, including the lead role of 'Iwi' in Ngati (1987), written by Tama Poata and directed by Barry Barclay.[2] Kaa won the "Best Film Performance, Male" at the 1988 New Zealand Film and TV Awards for this role, and in 1987 alongside Barclay, Poata and producer John O'Shea attended a screening at Cannes Film Festival in the Critics Week programme.[2][3] He also played a lead role in the film Utu (1983) directed by Geoff Murphy.[4] 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.

Filmography

Film roles

  • Utu (1983), Wiremu
  • The Bounty (1984), King Tynah
  • Kingpin (1985), Mr Nathan
  • Ngati (1987), Iwi
  • Linda's Body (1990), Hemi
  • Te Rau (1991), Rewi Marangai[2]
  • The Diamond of Jeru (2001), Inghai - TV film
  • Turangawaewae (2002), Tiare (Koro)
  • Der Liebe entgegen (2002), Henry Tufare - TV film
  • River Queen (2005), Old Rangi

Television roles

  • Homicide (1971), Rollo - one episode
  • Spyforce (1973), various characters - four episodes
  • Silent Number (1974), Tony - one episode
  • Worzel Gummidge Down Under (1986–1987), Travelling Scarecrow Maker - five episodes
  • The Strip (2002), Bible Bill - one episode
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References
  1. "Wi Kuka Kaa - Biography". NZ on Screen. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  2. Murray, Stuart (2008). Images of dignity : Barry Barclay and fourth cinema. Wellington, N.Z.: Huia. pp. 56–57. ISBN 978-1-86969-328-2. OCLC 219583209.
  3. "Ngati". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  4. "Obituary: Wi Kuki Kaa". scoop.co.nz. 20 February 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2009.


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