Rawiri Paratene

Peter David Broughton , generally known as Rawiri Paratene, is a New Zealand stage and screen actor, director and writer. He is known for his acting roles in Whale Rider (2002) and The Insatiable Moon (2010). Biography Paratene was born at Motukaraka, near Kohukohu, Hokianga, New Zealand, and is of Ngāpuhi descent. He grew up in the south Auckland suburb of Otara, and attended Hillary College as David Broughton, the English form of his name. Paratene's parents were Boyd Alex Broughton and Patricia Charlotte Hancy. Paratene initially struggled with reading and writing at school, but went on to be the first Māori graduate of the New Zealand Drama School. He graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting). As a young student in the 1970s, Paratene was a member of Ngā Tamatoa, an activist organisation which fought for Māori rights, land, language and culture. Paratene was president of the Wellington chapter, and was one of those who presented the 1972 Te reo Māori petition to parliament. Today, working in the arts, Paratene aspires to have more Māori stories on film.