Photography: Robert Trathen.
Through the most gruelling moments of filming Kiwi war movie Sgt Haane, actor besties Alex Tarrant and Niwa Whatuira knew they had each other’s backs. But when it came to literally carrying Niwa on his back for days, Alex jokes that he could have done without Niwa hitting the catering table so hard!
“Physically, this was the toughest shoot I’ve done,” says Niwa, 32, who has also starred in Shortland Street and The Dead Lands.
“It was freezing cold and we were filming at night. Then Alex had to carry me for four days – and I’m 98kg!”
“Nah, you’ve gotta be 120!” quips Alex, 34, known globally for his roles in DMV, NCIS: Hawai’i and The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power.
“He was like, ‘Sorry, man, I’ve been eating heaps.’”
A bond that started on day one
But it was all to help maintain energy during long hours, insists Niwa. “We were working so hard, so we’d load up at lunch. Afterwards, I’d think, ‘I probably shouldn’t have done that.’ It hurt my stomach being on Alex’s shoulders.”
Laughs Alex, “My poor bony shoulders!”
Humour is a trait ingrained in their friendship ever since they met in the lobby of TVNZ to begin filming youth series Totes Ma–ori when Alex was 21 and Niwa was 19.
More than co-stars
“It was my introduction to the industry and to click with someone I’d just met… I realise how special that is the more shows I do,” says Alex.
Niwa adds, “From that day, I knew we’d be with each other through our careers and lives. Alex has the ability to connect, go deep and hold your energy for a long time.”
It’s why they’ve stayed tight as their careers have taken them in different directions. Having performed his first play around age six, Niwa – who has Nga–ti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa heritage – starred alongside Cliff Curtis in The Dark Horse, before going on to act in films like M3gan 2.0, Cousins and with “amazing” Elizabeth Banks in The Mistake.
Life across the ocean
Meanwhile, since working on Shorty and Filthy Rich, Māori-Samoan-Niuean star Alex has relocated to Hawai’i with his actress wife Lucinda Hare and their seven-year-old son Beau, starring in several primetime US shows.
“There’s so much I’ve learned through Alex, like accepting who you are in contrast to someone else, and how your differences are what make you who you are,” shares Niwa.
Back together again
For his part, Alex admires his buddy’s knack for breaking the ice with strangers. Niwa says hanging out after long periods apart feels like “putting on a comfy pair of shoes” and they loved working together on Sgt Haane, which tells the story of late World War II soldier Haane Manahi, who was recommended for the Victoria Cross by four generals, yet only received a downgraded Distinguished Conduct Medal.
It was a meaningful project for Niwa, who was born in England while his father Ken was in the British SAS. The family made Auckland home when he was five.
A dream role realised
Niwa recalls, “My agents said, ‘What’s your dream job?’ and I said, ‘A war movie.’ Two weeks later, this offer came through. Then I got to set, where Alex was the lead and I was playing the same rank as my dad!”
Also including Vinnie Bennett and Ryan O’Kane, the cast had little prep time, but felt like they’d been “training for this our whole lives”, says Niwa.
During gruelling scenes, he had to remind himself they were experiencing “less than a tenth of what soldiers went through”.
Stepping into the lead
While he previously played a soldier in When We Go To War, Sgt Haane marked Alex’s first leading role, which saw him battle impostor syndrome.
“I had to overcome that feeling of not being able to live up to the man he was. I realised it’s not about filling his shoes or imitating him, but lending my spirit to the character.”
Helping matters, Haane’s niece Dr Donna Morrison, who produced the film, did some research and realised Alex’s Rotorua-born grandfather was a relative.
“She came back the first day of shooting and announced that I’m whānau!” shares Alex.
“I’m yet to find out more about my whakapapa, but it felt like it was meant to be.”
Seeing his dad in a new light
For Niwa, portraying soldier Johnnie Rogers shed new light on his dad.
“It helped me connect with my old man and understand everything he’s done in his career better,” he enthuses.
Niwa also stars in upcoming Kiwi series Ms X, while Alex will make his directorial debut with a short film back in Hawai’i, but the pair are already dreaming up new ways to work together.
big ideas (and a few laughs)
“We’ve been talking about doing a boy-band mockumentary,” dishes Niwa.
“Vinnie could be in it too and we’ll also get Jayden Daniels.”
Alex laughs, “We’ll be the greatest boy band that never existed!”
Sgt Haane is in selected cinemas this week, with a wider release on 30 April.
