Jay Tewake

Jay Tewake (born 25 February 1990 Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand) is a New Zealand actor. He is best known for his work on the short film GURL[1] and the reality TV mini series Queens of Panguru.[2]

Jay Tewake
Born (1990-02-25) February 25, 1990 (age 34)
NationalityNew Zealander
Notable workGURL
FamilyRamon Te Wake

Music

Tewake has also done notable work in Music with producing acts including Mika Haka,[3] JGeek and the Geeks,[4] Bare Feet Street[5] and many more. In 2011, Jay Tewake performed at the 2011 Rugby World Cup Music Event Mika's Aroha Mardi Gras.[6] It was televised on Māori Television. He performed He Hoi alongside his back up dancers GlamBoyz & Ka 400.[7]

Health

Tewake was featured on Māori Television multiple times in a TV series called KA TV and KA Life. The shows were family shows promoting Health, fitness, well-being with dance, healthy eating and exercise.[8] The TV series went on to become a free school holiday program to teach kids to dance.[9] They also did a couple of publicity stunts with flash mobs. They got to join the 2011 Rugby World Cup Music Event Mika's Aroha Mardi Gras and the 2011 Kiwi Day Out.[10]

The Queens of Panguru

In 2017, Jay Tewake starred in the reality TV Series The Queens of Panguru alongside Ramon Te Wake and Maihi Makiha.[11] The five episode short series is about three well known people from the LGBT community who live in the big city of Auckland, return home to their roots.[12] The TV series was televised on Māori Television.[13]

GURL

In 2020, Tewake starred the lead role in the short film GURL.[14] The film was a prequel of the biopic "The Book of Carmen" which is currently in pre-production.[15] The film is based on the life of Carmen Rupe.[16] Tewake also sang on the film's soundtrack.[17] Winner for Best Actor in Medium Length Film at Brazil International Film Festival.[18]

Personal life

On the show Queens of Panguru, Tewake describes himself as a "young gay glamboy".[19] He is the descendant of Heremia Te Wake who was a notable tribe leader, who is the father of respected kuia (Māori elder), Dame Whina Cooper.[20]

Discography

Single

YearTitleAlbum
2018Higher (With Eli Globe & Richie Cattell)Still Stuck
2020What Kind of Coffee Do You Like? (With Jackie Clarke & Brady Peeti)GURL

Albums

YearTitleDetails
2020GURLReleased: 24 July 2020

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNote
2020GURLGURL/Young CarmenNominated NZIFF Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts Best Film Award
Won NZIFF Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts CineMāori Audience Award

Documentary

YearTitleRoleNote
2008Mika Haka KidsSelf[21]

Television

YearTitleRoleNote
2011KA LIFEPresenter
2011Mika's Aroha Mardi GrasPerformer
2013Ka TVPresenter
2017Queens of PanguruSelf5 Episodes

Music Video

YearTitleArtistRole
2014CoffeeMika Haka feat Lavina WilliamsZombie
2020What Kind of Coffee Do You LikeFeaturing Brady Peeti, Jackie Clarke and Jay TewakeCarmen

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef(s)
NZIFFAugust 2, 2020Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts Best Film AwardMika XNominated[22]
Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts CineMāori Audience AwardWon
Wairoa Māori Film FestivalOctober 25, 2020Whenua Jury - Best Māori Director (Short Film)Won
Calcutta International Cult Film Festival
(FILMS OF THE MONTH – JAN-FEB 2021)
March 17, 2021Best LGBTWon[23]
Outstanding Achievement AwardWon
Brazil International Monthly Film FestivalSeptember 2021Best Actor For Median Length FilmJay TewakeWon[24]

References