Q&A: Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne

Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne (Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe) began acting in her hometown in Tairāwhiti and has gone on to achieve global recognition for her on-screen talent. She will soon star in Waiora Te Ūkaipō – The Homeland, written and directed by Hone Kouka MNZM (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu). The New Zealand play, which premiered 30 years ago, is set during a 1965 beachside birthday hāngī and explores the impact of colonisation, urban drift, and the tension between past and future. 

Tell us about your character in Waiora.

Rongo is what her sister describes as a kuia, an old soul. A loud yet silent force, if that makes sense, and the glue of her whānau.

Are there any similarities between you and Rongo?

Both Māori. Both grounded. Both Wāhine. Both beautiful? Nahh! I am definitely not an old soul, although I try to act like it sometimes. I think my strongest connection to Rongo would be how grounded we both are.

The play explores the themes of family and belonging. What does that look like for you?

It looks like growing up somewhere where even the trees remember you. It looks like having the privilege of going back home when you live in the city. It looks like belonging somewhere, but you don’t live there. It looks like swimming in your river to heal and to play with your cousins on a random Tuesday afternoon. It looks like helping in the kitchen at the marae or even ditching the marae to be at the river. Belonging is endless when you’re from the coast, I think.

Who, or what, do you credit for your decision to pursue a career in acting?

Probably my mum. She was my teacher in intermediate school. We had to make a short film and my classmates and I remade a Māori short film, kind of like Grease, but the characters were our ancestors! That was my first real acting role, and it really was a memorable one. I got to make it with my cousins, and my mum was in charge pretty much. I also credit her for being an absolute character and I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

You made your professional acting debut as a teenager in the 2016 film Hunt for the Wilderpeople. What was it like working alongside director Taika Waititi?

Taika was the funniest to work with, but [fellow actress] Rachel House just knew how to work with kids and bring out the best in us. I think my parents loved being around Taika more than I did! I want to work with him again soon, I reckon that would be different now that I’m an adult.

You got that role from a casting call sent out to schools, was that a surprise?

It was and it wasn’t. My whole family came with me to the in-person audition. On the eight-hour drive home that night, I remember it was raining and my dad played Turn Your Lights Down Low, the song I sang in my audition. And I think it was in that moment we knew without even knowing that I got the part.

How do you get into character for a new role? 

I never do it one way. I feel like I’ll always do it differently for every character I play. Sometimes I have someone to guide me, sometimes it’s just me. In The Convert I had the beautiful Te Atamira [Jennifer] Ward Lealand coach me. We went on a journey with my character Rangimai. We brainstormed the world of the film, character personality traits, and had a visual map of Rangimai’s life story. It was epic. That’s how I hope to move forward with every character I play now. 

Congratulations on your Rising Star recognition at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival for your role as Rangimai in The Convert. How does it feel to be recognised on a global stage?

Sometimes I forget that I went to Toronto and did that. I forget that I’ve been recognised in that way, because when I come back to New Zealand it’s just another day. But it does feel pretty cool when I think about it.

What is it like acting live on stage? 

It feels like doing Kapa Haka on stage, but different. It’s that kind of sensation minus the 39 other performers. I still feel like I’m getting to know the theatre stage, so no doubt another wave of sensation will come, and I am yet to experience that. The last time I did a theatre show was actually five years ago with Hone Kouka.

Is it daunting knowing that there are no re-takes?

Yes! But I think it’s a great challenge. At least I know I definitely won’t be forgetting my lines, because I will be so prepared! The work will already be done, so I’ll just need to channel Rongo and I’ll be sweet.

When you’re not on the screen or stage, what are you most likely doing? 

Probably down the coast at the marae or doing pilates (my new fav thing to do), hanging out with my cousins and whānau. I try to do things that bring me joy; go and see my beautiful nieces.

What is your ultimate aspiration in the world of acting and/or directing?

Honestly, I don’t know. Other than being the next Natalie Portman. Nahh! Probably taking on an international role will be my next step. But I need to put in the work; 2026 will be the year of craft, and stepping into Wairoa will be the first big challenge of the year.