Veteran actor George Henare has been seen on stage, film, television and radio.

When he established his acting career in the theatre, he was just a teenager. Following a successful audition with the New Zealand Opera Company, George has since worked with the Maori Theatre Trust, Wellington’s Downstage Theatre, Radio Drama, the Mercury Theatre, the Auckland Theatre Company and in Australia the Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre and Belvoir Street Theatre.

George has won numerous awards for his theatre work. In 1988, he was awarded an OBE for services to theatre and two decades later he was made an Arts Foundation laureate and received Te Waka Toi, Te Tohu Toi Ke, Award for his outstanding contribution to Māori theatre.

George also has an impressive list of screen credits over the past few decades including Porters, Queen City Rocker and The Ray Bradbury Theatre. He also had roles on Shortland Street, City Life, Ocean Girl, Xena: Warrior Princess, Greenstone, Hercules, Love Mussel, Atomic Twister and The Vector File.

George also had a recurring role in two series of the drama Mercy Peak. More recently he appeared in two series of Maori Television sitcom series Kai Korero.

George’s film roles include the Kevin Costner film Rapa Nui, The Silent One based on Joy Cowley’s book, Once Were Warriors, Crooked Earth and The Legend of Johnny Lingo.

He continues to work in all facets of the acting industry.

George Henare plays Ray Judd.