Rawiri Paratene (Nga Puhi) was the first Maori student to graduate from Toi Whakaari - New Zealand Drama School, and has since made an indelible mark on the NZ screenscape - from hosting Play School to his role as Koro in Whale Rider.

Paratene’s small screen career began with a small part on The Governor, and playing Koro in 70s sitcom Joe and Koro. Paratene then hosted daily pre-school show Play School – a role familiar to a generation of Kiwi kids.

He went on to star in the long-running comedy sketch show Issues and won praise for his parodies of politician Winston Peters. Paratene is also an acclaimed writer whose credits include the TV dramas Erua and Dead Certs. The latter earned him a 1989 NZ Television Award.

On the big screen Paratene has created some of this country’s most memorable characters. He played the role of reformed gang memeber Mulla in What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?; but it was his role as Koro in Whale Rider that garnered him international recognition.

Paratene has served as deputy chairman of the New Zealand Film Commission. His latest cinema role is playing a psychiatric patient who believes he is the second son of God in The Insatiable Moon.

In this ScreenTalk interview, Paratene talks about:

• creating a stir by portraying a realistic Maori accent in the 70s sitcom Joe and Koro

• being asked to “reign in” his performance playing a dead body in The Governor

• how hosting the iconic kids show Play School helped to get him a long career

• fighting for Maori language and characters to be included in the show

• how ad-libbing boosted the tiny role of Rangi into a major part in Footrot Flats: The Dog’s (Tail) Tale

• creating the back story behind gang member Mulla in What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?

• causing a public stir by wearing his on-screen tattoos out in public

• loving the ‘honesty’ of his character Koro in Whale Rider

• his most humbling and poignant moment on the set of the film

This video is available on YouTube to embed and distribute via a Creative Commons licence.

NZ On Screen: Interview, Camera & Editing - Andrew Whiteside