By RNZ Temuera Morrison says the strong faces of 19th-century Māori leaders inspired his performance in the historic new film Ka Whawhai Tonu . “Their eyes look so much deeper. They could connect to the cosmos a lot better than we can today.
.. They knew about warfare, they knew how to run a tribe, an iwi, how to build a house, how to grow food.
.. none of the things that I can do today.
Sometimes a bit of acting comes in handy,” he tells Saturday Morning ’s Susie Ferguson. Ka Whawhai Tonu (Struggle Without End) tells the story of the 1864 battle of O-Rākau from the perspective of Māori survivors. It will be released in cinemas on Matariki Weekend - June 27, 2024.
Since his early roles in Shortland Street and the award-winning film Once Were Warriors , Morrison has become a familiar face in international blockbusters like Star Wars and Aquaman . He was on a break from filming Jason Momoa’s upcoming historical drama Chief of War when he headed to the Waikato to shoot Ka Whawhai Tonu . Although being part of the film was a “beautiful experience” Morrison says he doesn’t really enjoy taking acting gigs in his hometown of Rotorua.
“We have a number of Māori actors here that are very good and sometimes I feel a little guilty that I’m taking one of my brothers’ jobs ...
But there was no one else, really, because I whakapapa to Ngāti Maniapoto as well.” Playing the role of Ngāti Maniapoto chief Rewi Maniapoto was a way for Morrison to honour not only .