When Disney announced the live-action Moana, most of the attention went to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returning as Maui, newcomer Catherine Laga’aia taking on the title role, and the debate over whether another animated classic needed a remake.
But now that the dust has settled, it feels like the right time to stop and appreciate someone who’s been quietly doing incredible work for decades.
Our very own Rena Owen.
She steps into the role of Gramma Tala, the heart and soul of Moana. It’s a character built on wisdom, humour and quiet strength qualities Rena has brought to the screen throughout her career.
For many Māori, Rena Owen doesn’t need an introduction.
For many New Zealanders, she became a household name through Once Were Warriors in 1994. Her portrayal of Beth Heke remains one of the defining performances in New Zealand cinema and helped launch a career that would take her from Aotearoa to some of Hollywood’s biggest productions.
Since then she’s appeared in Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, along with television series including Longmire, The Orville, Siren, The Dead Lands and Our Flag Means Death.
She’s worked alongside some of the biggest names in the industry, but has always carried herself with the same authenticity that first made audiences take notice more than 30 years ago.
That’s what makes seeing her in Moana so fitting.
Sometimes, when a blockbuster comes along, it’s easy to get caught up in the spectacle. But once the excitement settles, you start to notice the people who have been doing the mahi long before the headlines arrived.
Rena Owen has been one of those people for a very long time.
PS. Carry some tissue for your hupe nose. She knows how to make us into a tangiweto.
