Wi Kuki Kaa (16 December 1938 – 19 February 2006) was a New Zealand actor in film, theatre and television.

Career

Kaa featured in many films, including the lead role of Iwi in Ngati (1987), written by Tama Poata and directed by Barry Barclay. Kaa won the "Best Film Performance, Male" at the 1988 New Zealand Film and TV Awards for this role, and in 1987 alongside Barclay, Poata and producer John O'Shea attended a screening at Cannes Film Festival in the Critics Week programme. He also played a lead role in the film Utu (1983) directed by Geoff Murphy. Kaa featured in the music video Little Things by Wellington roots dub band Trinity Roots. In 2006, Kaa died in Wellington aged 67.

Filmography

Film

Television

Family

Kaa was born in Rangitukia on New Zealand's East Cape. He was from the Māori tribes of Ngati Porou and Ngati Kahungunu. His father was the Reverend Tipi Whenua Kaa, from Rangitukia, who was vicar of the Waiapu parish and his mother Hohipene Kaa (formerly Whaanga) was from Wairoa. He was one of 12 children. His siblings include: Keri Kaa, a writer and Māori language advocate; Hone Kaa, an Anglican church leader and child welfare advocate; and Arapera Blank, a writer and poet.