George Henare CNZM, OBE

Actor / Appearances / Music Theatre / Voice
Age Range

75—85

Height

172cm

Eye Colour

Brown

Hair Colour

White

Ethnicity

Māori

Appearances

Panelist, Personal Appearances

Voice Style

Corporate / Documentary / Promo Radio/TV / Promo Retail / Soft Sell / Straight

Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hine | CNZM, OBE

"Because my career is all about human behaviour and interaction, it is for me an endless journey of discovery, fascination and enlightenment, a journey I hope to continue on until that 'other' big spotlight shows the way to another dimension."

George Henare was born in Gisborne in 1945, the third youngest in a family of ten children. He spent the first 12 years of his life on a sheep and cattle farm in the Whakaangiangi Valley, 15 Kilometres inland from Te Araroa on the East Coast of the North Island. He attended Gisborne Boys' High School and then Ardmore Teachers' College.

George became involved in theatre in his late teens after brief stints as a postie and trainee teacher. He abandoned his teaching career in 1965 after a successful audition with the New Zealand Opera Company where he sang chorus in productions as Porgy and Bess and Il Trovatore. George was extremely adept at "pulling faces" and getting noticed, so began to be offered small acting roles.

From 1965 George worked with the New Zealand Opera Company, the Māori Theatre Trust, Wellington's Downstage Theatre, Radio Drama and fledgling television, until joining Mercury Theatre, Auckland, in 1971 at the age of 25. Since then George has played dozens of parts, from Ratty, Dracula, Toad of Toad Hall, Snoopy to more serious characters such as Lear, Lenin and Caesar. His television and film work includes Rapa Nui, Crooked Earth, The Silent One, Once Were Warriors and Potiki's Memory Of Stone (written by Laureate Briar Grace- Smith). After Mercury's demise in 1992, George worked extensively in Australia with Melbourne Theatre Co, Sydney's Ensemble Theatre and Belvoir Street Theatre in Sydney, and toured with Jesus Christ Superstar, Phantom of the Opera and guested on many television series.

For the Auckland Theatre Company George has performed in Who Wants To Be 100? Goldie, Wind In The Willows, Cabaret and Into the Woods. Other highlights include the 2000 New Zealand International Festival of the Arts production of Haruru Mai and Purapurawhetu, which toured New Zealand and internationally.

George received an OBE in 1988 for his services to theatre; Best Theatrical Performance Award at The Entertainer of the Year Awards for his role in Jesus Christ Superstar; in 2000 he was named Best Actor at the 2000 TV Guide New Zealand Television Awards for Nga Tohu - Signatures; 1992 and 2001 George was named Talking Books Narrator of the year; and in 2006 he won a Chapman Tripp ‘Best Actor' Award for his portrayal of Willy Loman in Circa Theatre's Death of a Salesman. In 2008 George received Te Waka Toi, Te Tohu Toi Ke, Award for his outstanding contribution to Māori theatre and in 2009 he was the recipient of an Arts Foundation Laureate Award.

In 2010 George was awarded Best Actor for his role in the fantasy series Kaitangata Twitch written by Margaret Mahy and screened as a television series. George played the role of ‘a tormented soul' Lee Kaa . He was also awarded a CMNZ (Companion of the said Order of New Zealand) in the New Year's honours list.

Courtesy - Arts Foundation

George Henare CNZM, OBE

Artist Resume

Television

Year
Role
Production

2021

Graham (5 Eps)

FISK

Porchlight Films (AUS)

Dir. Kitty Flanagan / Tom Peterson

2020

Wapiti (Voice of)

Darwin & Newt

Whitebait Media

Dir. Jason Gunn

2019

Wapite (Voice of)

Darwin & Newt

Whitebait Media

Dir. Jason Gunn

2018

Wapiti (Voice of)

Darwin & Newt

Whitebait Media

Dir. Jason Gunn

2011

Henare Ngatai

Shortland Street

South Pacific Pictures

Dir. Various

2011

Geordie Stevens

Emilie Richards-Der Zauber von Neuseeland

Polyphon International Film ind Fernseh

Dir. John Delbridge

2011

Monty

Billy T: Te Movie

Comedia Pictures Ltd

Dir. Peter Burger

2010

Hamiora Williams

Nights In The Gardens of Spain

Cinco Cine Cabrio Ltd

Dir. Katie Wolfee

2010

Eddie

Stolen

South Pacific Pictures

Dir. Britta Johnstone

2010

Kawiti

Waitangi: What Really Happened

Dir. Peter Burger

2009

Lee Kaa

Kaitangata Twitch

Maori Television

2009

George Henare (Himself)

Firehorse Films

Dir. Various

2009

Ray Judd

Outrageous Fortune

South Pacific Pictures

Dir. Various

2006

Wirimu Rata

Kai Korero

Front of Box Productions

2006

PA

Kai Korero - Comedy Series

Front of the Box

Dir. Greg Mayor

2003

Manu Bishop

Mercy Peak 2001 - 2003

South Pacific Pictures

Dir. Various

2002

Manuel Fuentes

Atomic Twister

Once Upon a Time Films

Dir. Bill Corcoran

2002

Detective Ramos

Vector Files

Daybreak Pacific

Dir. Eliot Christopher

2002

Uncle Ben

Mataku

South Pacific Pictures

Dir. Various

2002

District Commander

Street Legal

Screenworks

Dir. Various

2001

Nga Tohu

Manukau Films

Dir. Andrew Bancroft

2001

Actor

Haruru Mai

Dir. Briar Grace Smith

2001

Des Tahuhu

Love Mussel

Frame Up Films

Dir. Michael Hurst

2000

Nutoa

Beastmaster

Cootes Hayes Productions

Dir. Various

2000

Actor

Tales of the South Seas

South Pacific Pictures

Dir. Scott Hartford-Davis

2000

Zanga Cheif

The Lost World

Telescene Film Group Productions

Dir. Michael Offer

1999

Judge

City Life

Television New Zealand

Dir. Various

1999

Te Manahau

Greenstone

Communicado Productions

Dir. Various

1999

Zarathustra

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

Pacific Renaissance

1999

Chief Jacoba

The Lost World (2 eps.)

Telescene Film Group Productions

Dir. Richard Franklin

1999

President

The Tribe

Cloud 9 (The Tribe) Limited (New Zealand

Dir. Costa Botes

1997

Malakat

Ocean Girl (26 eps.)

Network Ten

Dir. Various

1997

Hidam

Xena: Warrior Princess

Pacific Renaissance

Dir. Garth Maxwell

1993

George Costas

Time Trax

Warner Bros. Television

Dir. Donald Crombie

1992

Albert King

Shortland Street

South Pacific Pictures

Dir. Various

1990

Forrester

The Ray Bradbury Theatre

Dir. John Laing

1987

Actor

Porters

Dir. Noam Pitlik

1979

Ratu Rewini

Flying Kiwis

Portman Productions

Dir. Gerban Ceth

1978

Ted Crawley

Gather Your Dreams (Ep 3)

South Pacific Television

Dir. Tom Parkinson

Web Series

Year
Role
Production

2015

Prime Minister

Reset

Girl Viking Ltd

Dir. Darren Simmons

Feature Film

Year
Role
Production

2014

Tane

The Dead Lands

GFC (Warrior) Limited

Dir. Toa Fraser

2009

Orchard Worker

The Lovely Bones

DWNZ Productions

Dir. Peter Jackson

2003

Johnny Lingo (Lead)

The Legend of Johnny Lingo

The Stable

Dir. Steven Ramirez

2002

Manuel Fuentes

Atomic Twister

Once Upon A Time Films

Dir. Bill Corcoran

2002

Detective Ramos

Vector File

Scary X Films

Dir. Eliot Christopher

2001

Tipene

Crooked Earth

Communicado

Dir. Sam Pillsbury

1994

Tupa

Rapa Nui

Majestic Films International

Dir. Kevin Reynolds

1994

Bennett

Once Were Warriors

Communicado Productions

Dir. Le Tamahori

1986

Raving Polynesian Man

Queen City Rocker

Mirage Films

Dir. Bruce Morrison

1984

Paui Te Po

The Silent One

Gibson Group

Dir. Yvonne Mackay

Short Film

Year
Role
Production

2012

Man

The Last Supper

Dir. Richard Green

1996

Actor

Mananui

James Wallace Productions

Dir. Poata Eruera

Stage

Year
Role
Production

2016

Werihe

Te Po

Dir. Ben Crowder

2016

Frank

Educating Rita

Court Theatre

Dir. Yvonne Martin

2015

Dr Roberto Miranda

Death and the Maiden

Newmarket Stage Company

Dir. John Callen

2015

Narrator

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Dir. Michael Williams

2015

Henri

Heroes

Auckland Theatre Company

Dir. Alison Quigan

2014

Narrator

Letters of Note (Readings)

2014

Morrie

Tuesdays with Morrie

Newmarket Stage Company

Dir. Adey Ramsel

2013

Cecil/Countryman/Courtier

Anne Boleyn

Auckland Theatre Company

Dir. Colin McColl

2013

Maurice

You Can Always Give Them Back

Circa Theatre

Dir. Jane Waddell

2013

Hoke Colburn

Driving Miss Daisy

Tadpole Productions

Dir. Louise Wallace

2012

Werihe

Awatea

Auckland Theatre Company

Dir. Colin McColl

2012

Maurice

You Can Always Hand Them Back

Centrepoint Palmerston North

Dir. Jeff Kingsford-Brown

2012

Willy Loman

Death of a Salesman

Peach Theatre Company

Dir. Jesse Peach

2012

Dr Frank Bryant

Educating Rita

Newmarket Stage Company

Dir. Adey Ramsel

2011

Ambassador Aubespine

Mary Stuart

Auckland Theatre Company

Dir. Colin McColl

2011

Brabantio

Othello

Peach Theatre Company

Dir. Jesse Peach

2010

Al Fieri

View from the Bridge

Peach Theatre Company

Dir. Jesse Peach

2009

Harvy

Four Flat Whites

Auckland Theatre Company

Dir. Janice Finn

2007

Caldwell B Cladwell

Urine Town

Downstage Theatre

Dir. Cathy Downes

2007

Giles Corey

The Crucible

Auckland Theatre Co

Dir. Colin McColl

2007

Alan

Who Wants to be 100

Auckland Theatre Co

Dir. Alison Quigan

2007

Henri

Heroes

Circa Theatre

Dir. Ross Jolly

2006

Narrator

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

Dir. Maestro Milanov

2006

Dracula

Dracula

Downstage Theatre

Dir. Cathy Downes

2006

Sir Toby Belch

Twelfth Night

Auckland Theatre Company

Dir. Michael Hurst

2005

Willy Loman

Death of a Salesman

Circa Theatre

Dir. Susan Wilson

2005

Narrator - Sporting Life

Porgy and Bess Concert

Christchurch Symphony Orchestra

Dir. Elric Hooper

2005

Kofi Annan, Collin Powell, Narrator

Stuff Happens

Compnay B Belvoir St Sydney

Dir. Neil Armfield

2005

Ross

The Goat or Who is Sylvia

Christchurch Court Theatre

Dir. Cathy Downes

2005

Frankfurter

The Rocky Horror Show

Christchurch Court Theatre

Dir. Cathy Downes

1991

Antonio Salieri

Amadeus

The Mercury Theatre

1991

Rene Gallimard

M Butterfly

The Mercury Theatre

1977

Cupid in Transit

Mercury Theatre

1977

Diary of a Madman

Mercury Theatre

1977

Man of La Mancha

Mercury Theatre

1977

The Last of the Knucklmen

Mercury Theatre

1977

Trumpets and Dru

Mercury Theatre

1977

Well Hung

Mercury Theatre

1976

A Little Night Music

Mercury Theatre

1976

Agincourt

Mercury Theatre

1976

Chermin de fer

Mercury Theatre

1976

From Berlin to Broadway

Mercury Theatre

1976

Happy Arcadia

Mercury Theatre

1976

More Canterbury Tales

Mercury Theatre

1976

Otherwise Engaged

Mercury Theatre

1976

Savages

Mercury Theatre

1976

Tarantara! Tarantara

Mercury Theatre

1976

The Duchess of Malfi

Mercury Theatre

1976

Toad of Toad Hall

Mercury Theatre

1975

A Marvellous Party

Mercury Theatre

1975

Elephant,

Mercury Theatre

1975

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoa

Mercury Theatre

1975

Kiss Me Kate

Mercury Theatre

1975

London Assurance

Mercury Theatre

1975

Marieken

Mercury Theatre

1975

Mercury Theatre

1975

The Mouse Man

Mercury Theatre

1975

The Taming of the Shrew

Mercury Theatre

1975

Travesties

Mercury Theatre

1974

Mercury Theatre

1974

Macbett

Mercury Theatre

1974

Saturday, Sunday, Monday

Mercury Theatre

1974

A Little Night Music

Mercury Theatre

1974

Jacques Brel

Mercury Theatre

1974

Three Sisters

Mercury Theatre

1974

Heroes and Butterflies

Mercury Theatre

1974

Absurd Person Singular

Mercury Theatre

1974

Equus

Mercury Theatre

1974

Lear

King Lear

Mercury Theatre

1974

The Wizard of O

Mercury Theatre

1974

An Evening with Katherine Mansfield

Mercury Theatre

1974

Cabaret

Mercury Theatre

1974

Ground Level

Mercury Theatre

1974

The Sea Horse

Mercury Theatre

1973

The Owl and the Pussy Cat

Mercury Theatre

1973

The Misanthrope

Mercury Theatre

1973

Butley

Mercury Theatre

1973

Mister King Hongi

Mercury Theatre

1973

Macbeth

Mercury Theatre

1973

Annie Get Your Gun

Mercury Theatre

1973

Lear

Mercury Theatre

1972

Kean

Mercury Theatre

1972

Mercury Theatre

1972

Conduct Unbecoming

Mercury Theatre

1972

A Man for All Seasons

Mercury Theatre

1972

Threepenny Opera

Mercury Theatre

1972

The Skin of our Teeth

Mercury Theatre

1972

You Never Can Tell

Mercury Theatre

1972

Guys and Dolls

Mercury Theatre

1972

Lulu

Mercury Theatre

1971

The Lark

Mercury Theatre

1971

The Hostage

Mercury Theatre

1971

The Magistrate

Mercury Theatre

1971

Prospect from the Park

Mercury Theatre

1971

Tiki and Things That Go Bump in the Night

Mercury Theatre

1971

As You Like It

Mercury Theatre

1971

Oh What a Lovely War

Mercury Theatre

1971

Peer Gynt

Mercury Theatre

1971

Forget-Me-Not Lane

Mercury Theatre

1971

The Country Wife

Mercury Theatre

1971

Mercury Theatre

1971

Canterbury Tales

Mercury Theatre

1968

Speed

Two Gentlemen of Verona

Downstage Theatre

1965

Porgy and Bess

New Zealand Opera Company

Musical Theatre

Year
Role
Production

2023

Amos / Dumbledore

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Melbourne, Australia)

Michael Cassel Group

Dir. John Tiffany

2022

Amos / Dumbledore

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Melbourne, Australia)

Michael Cassel Group

Dir. John Tiffany

2021

Amos / Dumbledore

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Melbourne, Australia)

Michael Cassel Group

Dir. John Tiffany

2020

Amos / Dumbledore

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Melbourne, Australia)

Michael Cassel Group

Dir. John Tiffany

2019

Amos / Dumbledore

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Melbourne, Australia)

Michael Cassel Group

Dir. John Tiffany

2018

The Sultan

Aladdin (Brisbane, Australia)

Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty Ltd

Dir. Casey Nicholaw

2017

The Sultan

Aladdin (Melbourne, Australia)

Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty Ltd

Dir. Casey Nicholaw

2016

Sir Joseph Potter

HMS Pinafore

Ben McDonald Productions

Dir. Geraldine Brophy

2016

The Sultan

Aladdin (Sydney, Australia)

Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Dir. Casey Nicholaw

2013

Major General

Pirates of Pinzance

Ben McDonald Ltd

Dir. Raymond Hawthorne

2010

The Kralahom

The King and I

Melbourne Production Company

2005

Fagin

Oliver - The Musical

Christchurch Court Theatre

Dir. Catherine Downes

2004

Juan Peron

Evita

Stewart and Tricia Macpherson

Dir. Michael McLean

1985

The King of Siam

The King and I

The Mercury Theatre

Video

Year
Role
Production

2015

Whatonga

Nga Hau - Wellington Museum of City and Sea Installation

Perceptual Engineering

Voice Over

Year
Role
Production

2020

Character Voice (Lead)

Water Safety NZ Promo - An Older Problem Thank You Think

FCB New Zealand

2014

Narrator

Christchurch Rebuild-Royal Tour

Animation Research

Dir. Ian Taylor

2014

Narrator

Commonwealth Games Glasgow - NZ Athletes Support Video

Chillbox Productions

Dir. Jonathan Potton

2014

Narrator

Tombship Productions Ltd

2013

Voice of TSB

Advertising Campaign

The Special Group

Dir. Nigel Sutton

2013

Narrator

Animation Research

Dir. Ian Taylor

2012

Voice of TSB

Advertising Campaign

The Special Group

Dir. Nigel Sutton

2012

Narrator

Christchurch Rebuild

Animation Research

Dir. Ian Taylor

2012

Narrator

Animation Research

Dir. Ian Taylor

2012

Narrator

Maui - Wellington

Animation Research

Dir. Ian Taylor

2011

Narrator

Notable Pictures

2011

Narrator

The Hunt for the Pink and White Terraces

JAM TV

2011

Narrator

NZ Bird Calls

New Holland Publishers

2011

Narrator

Legend of Maui

Animation Research

Dir. Ian Taylor

2011

Voice of TSB

Advertising Campaign

The Special Group

Dir. Nigel Sutton

2005

Narrator

The Hobbit

ICA Australia

Dir. Christine Anketell

2004

Narrator (since 2004 to the present)

Talking Books

Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind

Documentary

Year
Role
Production

2015

Henare Te Ua

Poi E - The Untold Story

Patea Film Collective Ltd

Dir. Bailey MacKey

Other

Year
Role
Production

1973

Jumpers

Mercury Theatre

1973

Mercury Theatre

1973

Hay Fever

Mercury Theatre

1973

The Rocking Cave

Mercury Theatre

Radio

Year
Role
Production

2021

Werihe

Te Po (adapted for Radio)

Nightsong Productions for RNZ

Dir. Ben Crowder

2004

Narrator

Radio NZ Drama

Dir. John Dryden