Lawrence Wharerau

(Ngāpuhi)

Lawrence has had a long association with television and film.

He began as a researcher reporter in television last century and is a founding member of the Māori Department of TVNZ ion the mid 1980s.

At the same time Wharerau persued a profile in front of the camera in television productions as well as short and feature film projects.

By the mid-late 1990s, he turned his interest toward archival films focussing on Māori content at The Film Archive presenting programme throughout the country and overseas.

He has sat as a funding assessor on panels for Te Mānga Pāho, Whakaata Māori, Television New Zealand, the Film Commission and NZ On Air.

Lawrence’s career in film has seen him shift more behind the lens as a cultural and script advisor, though he still does make guest appearances on various projects from time to time.

Wharerau lives in the Northland sleepy hollow Ōkaihau situated between The Hokianga Harbour and The Bay of Islands.