For four years, Jarod Rawiri played the patriarch of one of the most troubled families on Shortland Street and was the on-screen dad to some of Aotearoa’s best young stars – including Hollywood actress Thomasin McKenzie.
But despite being on Kiwi screens for almost two decades, the 43-year-old admits he could not understand why he was asked to join the cast of one of New Zealand’s most successful television exports, The Brokenwood Mysteries.
“I was a little bit mystified about why they wanted me, to be honest,” Jarod recalls. “I was like, ‘Are you sure? I’m just some guy who’s been on Shortland Street and a couple of other things.’ I just didn’t see it coming.”
For his fans, however, it’s easy to see why the show’s creators, and now audiences, are so taken with his character, the laid-back and lovable DC Chalmers.
Sound the alarm – there’s an arresting new officer on our screens!
Jarod has effortlessly filled the gap left by actor Nic Sampson, who previously played DC Breen in the beloved drama. Nic had been forced to bow out of the show when Covid hit because he is now based in London and was unable to return to New Zealand, as planned, for filming.
“Everyone has been so positive except for this one person,” tells Jarod of his new lease of life in the limelight.
“They commented, ‘I’m not sure if I like this new guy.’ So, I replied and said, “I’m not sure if I like him either – yet!’
“I think I’m going to go back to him and ask what he would like changed,” Jarod continues with a laugh. “I’m trying to win them [the show’s fans] over.”
With Brokenwood co-star Fern Sutherland.
While Jarod is solving murder cases in the fictional town of Brokenwood, his wife Dolina Wehipeihana is also busy – she has just choreographed a new work for the Atamira Dance Company, which she helped found 21 years ago, and is producing several arts festivals around Aotearoa.
Having two creatives in one household, some might assume there’d be a touch of competition. But Jarod says the only time he and Dolina are prone to jealousy is when the other gets time off to spend with their four kids Tyla, 24 – Dolina’s daughter from a previous relationship – Huia, 15, Iarere, 12, and Te Marino, 10.
Dolina and Jarod with their kids (from left) Huia, Te Marino, Iarere and Tyla.
“We’re very busy people, so when someone gets to stay at home and hang out with the kids, that’s when we get jealous,” tells Jarod. “I got to play mini golf with them last week because it was school holidays and my wife had to work, so she was a little bit envious about that.”
Jarod and Dolina met in 2003 when he was fresh out of drama school. Unbeknown to them, their first meeting had been orchestrated by a mutual friend who wanted to ensure they spent enough time together for sparks to fly.
“Our good friend brought her along to see my show in Wellington and we hit it off,” remembers Jarod. “We didn’t realise that she was setting us up. We went out after the show and she made sure we were sitting together, then she made sure I walked Dolina home.”
Although their connection was instant, Jarod says over time their love has deepened as they have chased their creative dreams and raised their beautiful whānau together.
“We both want the other to achieve great things and do what they love,” shares Jarod. “We talk all the time about what we want to do with our lives and are always encouraging each other to try new things.”
Dolina adds, “It’s really nice being married to someone who is also an artist. It takes a lot of passion and curiosity to pursue this. We’ve been so lucky to be able to raise a family together and have a life in the arts.”
Although they are respected in the art world in New Zealand, both Jarod and Dolina say none of their children are interested in following in their creative footsteps.
Huia even starred alongside her dad in the 2014 miniseries Hope and Wire about the 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes, playing her dad’s on-screen daughter.
The director gave her performance rave reviews, but Huia’s brief stint in front of the camera has not given her the acting bug.
“The director said she was fantastic, and I asked if she wanted to do more acting, but she said no. She does not want to do it at all,” tells Jarod.
“My kids are all pretty bright. Hopefully, they all become lawyers and doctors so they can look after me!”
