Skin Writing was developed to encourage more Māori writers to give writing for radio a go. Producer Jason Te Kare researched Māori pūrakau (stories) of Mataora and Niwareka for his story, which is set in a tattoo studio called The Underground.
Jason Te Kare Photo: Supplied
Established Māori writers Briar Grace-Smith and Albert Belz wrote the first two episodes. The cast included Taungaroa Emile, Olivia Robinson, Jim Moriarty, Grant Roa and Apirana Taylor.
We recorded a lot of that first series in Taungaroa's house in Paekakariki when he lived there, and everyday the crew and the other actors would arrive... Taungaroa would have breakfast ready to go and lunch ready for later in the day. It was that real Māori manaaki way, he really hosted us. It was lovely, he has that Māori kaupapa at heart. Jim Moriarty's knowledge and experience is huge. He is a tuakana for a lot of us in the Māori acting world - Jason Te Kare.
