Biography
Tom Poata, also known as Tama Te Kapua Poata, was a New Zealand actor, writer and activist of Ngāti Porou descent. He appeared in a number of films and television productions from the early 1970s onwards.
His screen credits include the role of Angus in the television series Pukemanu (1971–1972), Puni in the feature film Utu (1983), Sam in Wild Horses (1983) and Ahu in Among the Cinders (1984). He wrote the screenplay for the 1987 feature Ngati, the first film written and directed by Māori.
Poata was also active in Māori rights campaigns, including the 1975 Land March, and helped coin the name of the anti-apartheid group Halt All Racist Tours (HART). He died in November 2005.
