Tamati Patuwai

New Zealand native actor Tamati Patuwai has been performing in lead roles on Screen and Stage since the mid 90's. Key highlights for Patuwai have been the NZ TV and Film Best Actor award for his stunning performance in the TV Movie and true story 'Staunch' (2002) to drawing record breaking audiences to the explosive Theatrical phenomena 'Maui', where Patuwai played Maui himself. Tamati Patuwai was born on December 20th, 1973 in Auckland, New Zealand; his mother, Jannette Patuwai (nee Powell), was a community worker for many years, and his father, Te Nohotu Noel Patuwai, was a skilled labourer. He is of Maori and Celtic descent. More specifically his tribal affiliations are: Ngati Whatua Tuturu, Te Taou, Ngati HIne, Irish, Welsh and English. Patuwai was born and bred in an East Auckland suburb called Glen Innes. His first stage experience was in a high school production 'West Side Story' directed by the nationally acclaimed Director and Theatre dramaturg June Renwick. He went on to jo