Piripi Curtis

Former teacher turned producer Piripi Curtis got into the screen industry by following in his cinematographer brother Richard Curtis' footsteps. He established Rotorua-based Hikoi Productions and has been producing the long-running hit series Hunting Aotearoa under its banner since 2005. His other television credits include the series Pete & Pio's Kai Safari and drama Vegas. Curtis has produced a number of short films, including women's rugby tale Tits on a Bull and boxing short Meke). In 2024, he co-produced his first feature film:  historical epic Ka Whawhai Tonu retells the story of the infamous battle of Ōrākau.

This is the first time we’re telling the story from our own perspective. One that we’ve passed down from generation to generation, and is still felt today. Producer Piripi Curtis on telling Māori stories in Ka Whawhai Tonu, Cambridge News, 23 May 2024