"A lot of great Maori writers tend to explore Maori issues in a spiritual or Maori world," he says.

Awarau says his next play looks at the election of the first Maori Catholic bishop in New Zealand with a bit of a reality TV twist. "People can connect to that desire and want of competing for a prize."

Despite writing full time for New Zealand Woman's Weekly magazine, Awarau has managed to write, produce and stage the award-winning play, Luncheon, have his short films shown at international film festivals and try his hand at television production as well.

Awarau attended Hato Paora College, a boarding school in Fielding and as a 17-year-old travelled to New York to live with a Jewish family on an exchange for a year.

His final year was at Hawera High School.

"What shaped me as an artist really was my time in Hawera."

"Especially the Ronald Hugh Morrieson [Award]. It's that legacy that was most influential because when you're that young you're just writing and you really don't know if what you're doing is worth anything."
Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Taranaki Daily News
• Image: The Listener.co.nz