The Pōneke restaurant actor Tamati Moriarty returns to again and again

Saturday, 6 June 2026

If Tamati Moriarty (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāpuhi Hokianga ki te Raki) looks familiar, there’s a good chance you’ve seen him during your evening ad breaks. The actor is the face of One NZ’s Let’s Get Connected campaign and recently appeared as Kahu in the acclaimed limited series After the Party. This winter, he’s taking his new theatre show, Waenga, on tour across the lower North Island.

TV show

Avatar the Last Airbender. Hands down. It's definitely a childhood favourite of mine. I can remember coming home from school with my siblings so excited to catch a new episode of it before it was time to switch the channel over to the news. It’s a feel good kind of show that really made us happy, and also created a bit of a competition with us kids around who would be more likely to be the avatar, lol.

Restaurant

Tiger [in Te Aro, Wellington]. I love spices and soupy food. It’s a malatang hot pot place. So it’s perfect that you make your own bowl kind of situation. One thing I never skip on is the bread. Trust me, if you know you know.

Song

Lady by D’Angelo. The bounce that this song gives me in my step! Also, any song by Thundercat. Super, super groovy dude. I got to watch him live when he came to Wellington, 10 out of 10 experience. Absolute wizardry on the bass guitar.

Thing to buy at the supermarket

Can of peaches. A can of peaches can never go wrong, trust me.

Book

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl. A great book turned into a great movie. I remember the first time I read this book was at my kuia’s whare. Also manga! I read a lot of different manga, One Piece is one of them. And Ngā Hapa Reo: Common Māori Language Errors by Hona Black and Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell. Reading this book is a good way to keep up with my reo and to keep improving.

Piece of art

I have this stick with a rock that sits on top of it. When the rock is taken away from the stick, the stick falls over, and same goes with the rock. However, when the two of them are placed together they don’t fall – but rather stand strong together. It reminds me of how important balance and harmony is in one’s life.

Item of clothing

I don’t know if this counts, but my headphones. I bring them everywhere, on a run, at the gym and while I am studying/working on my laptop. My favourite thing to do is chuck them on while I’m cooking.

Podcast

Not Another D&D Podcast. It’s a podcast that follows a Dungeons & Dragons campaign that is hilarious, riveting and easy to listen to.

Movie

Fantastic Mr. Fox. I love the way Wes Anderson directs movies, but in particular, the way he brought Roald Dahl's book to life. The movie had that sense of childlike imagination and on the nose humour.

Smell/fragrance

The ocean breeze. It’s a nostalgic smell for me, growing up next to the sea.

Destination

My favourite destination would have to be the sea. Especially going snorkelling in the rock pools and seeing all the different fish and sea life under water.

Weekend ritual

Hot yoga. It’s such a great way to reset for the week ahead.

Piece of advice you’ve received

From the book The Precious Present [by Spencer Johnson] – it’s a beautiful story told through the eyes of an old man and a boy going through life.

Person

To be honest I don’t have a favourite person. I’m grateful to have so many people in my life that I have deep relationships with.

Job

I have favourite moments, such as seeing the South Island while working on the One NZ campaign, touring our show Waenga around different schools through Hurō Productions and Taki Rua, running workshops with rangatahi in secondary schools and production managing for Hurō Productions’ short film Kikokiko.

Tamati Moriarty is the star and co-creator of Waenga, produced by Te Rākau in partnership with Hūro Productions, in 19 venues across the lower North Island from June 19 – August 4, kicking off in Wellington on June 19 at 3 Market Lane, Toi Pōneke Arts Centre. Tickets available at: terakau.org