Profile image for Pete Smith

Pete Smith

Actor, Presenter [Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri]

Pete Smith debuted with a GOFTA-winning role as one of the last people on earth, in classic sci-fi film The Quiet Earth (1985). Smith found acting after being welcomed onto the marae for his father's tangi. Keen to rediscover his ancestry and a "better life", he joined a drama course run by mentor Don Selwyn. He played a detective in Plainclothes, a gang leader in What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? and had an award-winning role on TV series The Market. Later Smith co-created and presented Far North gardening show Maramataka - Once Were Gardeners, and starred in 2010 movie Hugh and Heke. He died on 29 January 2022, at age 63.

The dynamic for me was ‘what can I contribute?’ The whole community was contributing to the upbringing of my kids ... all producing strong upstanding kids. I thought ‘let’s have a film company in Kaitaia. Let’s be the first ones'. Pete Smith, on launching production company Puriri Productions with his partner Mona Papali’i, Te Waha Nui, 6 June 2006

Thumbnail image for In Memoriam 2021

In Memoriam 2021

2021, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Restoring the Mauri of Lake Omapere

Restoring the Mauri of Lake Omapere

2007, Narrator - Film

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Spooked

2004, As: Truck driver - Film

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Mataku

2001, 2004, As: Pahi Ngare, Ngamanu - Television

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Greenstone

1999, As: Wahana - Television

Thumbnail image for What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?

1999, As: Apeman - Film

Thumbnail image for Plainclothes - First Episode

Plainclothes - First Episode

1995, As: Detective Oscar Kingi - Television

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Once Were Warriors

1994, As: Dooley - Film

Thumbnail image for Tagata Tangata 1 - Ngaa Tapuwae / Sacred Footsteps (First Episode)

Tagata Tangata 1 - Ngaa Tapuwae / Sacred Footsteps (First Episode)

1993, Research, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Marae - The Piano Story

Marae - The Piano Story

1993, Subject - Television

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Tagata Tangata

1993, Research - Television

Thumbnail image for Tagata Tangata 2 - Ngaa Kaitiaki Te Moananui-a-kiwa / Guardians of the Lands and Seas (Episode Two)

Tagata Tangata 2 - Ngaa Kaitiaki Te Moananui-a-kiwa / Guardians of the Lands and Seas (Episode Two)

1993, Research - Television

Thumbnail image for Tagata Tangata 3 - Papalagi / Heaven Breakers (Episode Three)

Tagata Tangata 3 - Papalagi / Heaven Breakers (Episode Three)

1993, Research - Television

Thumbnail image for Tagata Tangata 4 - Tangata Whenua / People of the Land (Episode Four)

Tagata Tangata 4 - Tangata Whenua / People of the Land (Episode Four)

1993, Research - Television

Thumbnail image for Tagata Tangata 5 - Te Ao HuriHuri / The Changing World (Episode Five)

Tagata Tangata 5 - Te Ao HuriHuri / The Changing World (Episode Five)

1993, Research - Television

Thumbnail image for Tagata Tangata 6 - Ngāi Tātou / Family (Episode Six)

Tagata Tangata 6 - Ngāi Tātou / Family (Episode Six)

1993, Research - Television

Thumbnail image for The Piano

The Piano

1993, As: Hone - Film

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Shortland Street

1999, As: Te Hamua Whaia - Television

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Marlin Bay

1992 - 1994, As: Matiu Burrows - Television

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Crush

1992, As: Horse - Film

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Opo

1991, As: Dan - Television

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More Issues

1991 - 1992, As: Various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for More Issues - A Compilation

More Issues - A Compilation

1991, As: Various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for Raider of the South Seas

Raider of the South Seas

1990, As: George - Television

Thumbnail image for Raider of the South Seas - First Episode

Raider of the South Seas - First Episode

1990, As: George - Television

Thumbnail image for The Billy T James Show (sitcom) - excerpts

The Billy T James Show (sitcom) - excerpts

1990, Guest - Television

Thumbnail image for E Tipu E Rea - Eel

E Tipu E Rea - Eel

1989, As: Tom - Television

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The Quiet Earth

1985, As: Api - Film

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Heroes

1986, As: Churchill - Television