Photography: Robert Trathen.
When Millie Whatuira went to see Kiwi film The Dark Horse in 2014, she couldn’t help noticing the hottie portraying chess player Michael. Little did she know that months later – when a friend offered to introduce her to a “hot Ma¯ori boy” – she’d be set up with the very same actor, Niwa Whatuira.
“I remember going to the movies and thinking he was super-attractive,” Millie, 30, tells Woman’s Day, prompting chuckles from Niwa, 32.
“Then a family friend asked my type and showed me photos. I went, ‘Well, if you know him, I’m keen!’”
Having moved from Wellington to Auckland to pursue her teaching degree, Millie slipped into Niwa’sDMs. But at first, the Sgt Haane star – who has also appeared in Shortland Street, Filthy Rich, M3gan 2.0 and Cousins – was dubious.
“I thought it was a catfish and said, ‘No way,’ then she said she knew a guy I played rugby with,” recalls Niwa, who’s of Nāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa descent.
“We were supposed to meet up the night of my 21st party, but I got too drunk.”
Finding himself hungover at another party the next night, Niwa messaged Millie for a ride.
She recalls, “I hopped in my friend’s tiny car, picked him up and remember thinking, ‘My God, he’s so loud. This guy’s full-on.’ But he stayed the night and we’ve never stopped hanging out.”
“The more time we spent together, the less time we could spend apart,” adds Niwa, who’s currently starring opposite Home And Away icon Melissa George in new local series Ms X.
A love that weathered the storm
Before meeting Millie, Niwa had never had a girlfriend, but after they bonded over their love of family, friends and music, he was quick to make things official. Months later, they faced their biggest hurdle yet, when Millie learnt her dad Steve had cancer and Niwa followed her to Wellington.
Millie explains, “He said, ‘I want to meet your dad,’ which was so special. I’m so grateful they met as he passed away that August. We’d only been together five months and we were so young – it was a lot to deal with. “Niwa stepped up, and was there for Mum and me. He left his friends and everything he knew to be there for me, and we moved in with Mum for six months.”
This experience created a rock-solid bond.
“Any time we come up against adversity, we know we got through that, so we can get through anything,” says Niwa.
Eventually, Millie’s mum Ruth moved to Mount Maunganui, where the couple has made some treasured memories. Surrounded by his actor mates, including Vinnie Bennett and Jayden Daniels, Niwa proposed to Millie on the beach. The Mount was also the location of their 2023 wedding, which Millie describes as the “best day ever”.
“We’ve known each other since we were 21 and 19, so there’s been so much change in who we are,” reflects Niwa.
“Being able to change and grow together has been the highlight of my life.”
The woman behind his success
Indeed, having Millie’s support has been vital for Niwa as he navigates the ups and downs of being an actor. After completing a makeup course, working in retail and now with a job at a shipping-software company, Millie’s stable income carried the couple through his professional lulls.
But more importantly, it’s his wife’s emotional support that’s been invaluable to Niwa.
“This job has the highest of highs and lowest of lows,” he shares.
“People see me when projects come out, not in between, when I’m twiddling my thumbs. “This year, we got back from Europe, moved houses, I did a play and Sgt Haane came out. Everything was fast and furious, then it suddenly slowed down and I was struggling. But I spoke to Millie, which really helped. She understands me.”
Millie adds, “Niwa’s so outgoing and positive, so I could tell something wasn’t right. Sometimes it’s just about reassuring him, like, ‘You’ve got this.’”
A career on the rise
Niwa’s now juggling multiple projects, including a queer drama series and the romantic movie True Love, which will see him reunite with his Sgt Haane co-stars Vinnie, Jayden and Alex Tarrant.
And that’s not to mention crime dramedy Ms X, which has already been renewed for a second season. Niwa plays real estate agent Ricky, a character that reminds him of his own “cheeky energy but a big sweetie” personality.
With their sons attending the same school, Niwa and Melissa’s characters become entwined in all things crime and romance.
“That has some dire consequences,” Niwa teases, adding that starring opposite Melissa was a blast.
“She’s very cool and so easy to work with because of how talented she is. “There wasn’t much acting required because she’s so good, I could let her do most aof the work, then just react!”
Miss X screens 8.30pm Mondays on Three and streams on ThreeNow.
