Biography
Wi Kuki Kaa (1938–2006) was a New Zealand actor in film, theatre and television. Of Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Kahungunu descent, he was born in Rangitukia on the East Cape and was one of twelve children of the Reverend Tipi Whenua Kaa and Hohipene Whaanga.
He played Wiremu in Geoff Murphy’s Utu (1983) and King Tynah in The Bounty (1984). His lead role as Iwi in Barry Barclay’s Ngati (1987) won him the Best Film Performance, Male award at the 1988 New Zealand Film and TV Awards. Other credits include The Governor (1977) as Rewi Maniapoto and River Queen (2005) as Old Rangi.
