Background
Paratene was born in Hokianga, New Zealand in 1954, and is of Nga Puhi descent.
Paratene was born in Hokianga, New Zealand in 1954, and is of Nga Puhi descent.
He is known for his acting roles in Whale Rider (2002) and The Insatiable Moon (2010). Paratene initially struggled with reading and writing at school, but went on to be the first Maori graduate of the New Zealand Drama School. Paratene was President of the Wellington chapter.
Today, working in the arts, Paratene aspires to have more Maori stories on film.
On 18 September 2008 the Green Party announced he was standing as their candidate for Maungakiekie in the 2008 election. He is also the father of Marama Davidson, who became a Green Party Member of Parliament in 2015 when Russel Norman resigned.
She had previously stood for the Green Party in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election, 2013 and the 2014 general election.
2013 Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours Foreign services to film, television and theatre 2011 Aotearoa Film & Television Award for Best Actor in a Feature Film – The Insatiable Moon (Arthur) 1996 New Zealand Film & Television Award for Best Actor – Dead Certificate (Hare) 1983 Winner of the Robert Burns Fellowship 1980 Winner Mobil Radio Award for "Proper Channels" Radio Play (Production) 1980 Winner Mobil Radio Award for "Proper Channels" Radio Play (Writing) 1976 Winner of the Maori Writers" Award.
As a young student in the 1970s, Paratene was a member of Nga Tamatoa, an activist organisation which fought for Maori rights, land, language and culture.
