A Tauranga Intermediate student building an impressive screen and stage career will take to the Baycourt stage in the Tauranga Arts Festival.

Nātana Mika, 12, will perform in Tāne Rore, a production exploring Māori men’s experiences through haka, waiata, dance, poetry and storytelling.

Nātana (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ranginui) stepped into acting three years ago, encouraged by his uncle, Tauranga artist and Tāne Rore creative director Jason Te Mete.

Since then, his list of film and television credits has grown.

He starred in the feature film Ka Whawhai Tonu as the chief’s grandson Puku, and television productions Dead Ahead, Bust Up and This Is Home, currently screening on Māori Television.

For Nātana, balancing acting with school life has not always been easy.

“I missed out on a few things at school last year. I missed out on school social dances and the Year 7 ball.”

Nātana said acting felt “pretty hard” when he first started aged 9, but it had become more natural.

“Most likely I will keep acting. People tell me how good I am at being in the moment and they say I am always good at being cheeky,” he said.

“I think the serious roles are harder than the cheeky ones, but I can do them too.”

Ka Whawhai Tonu, New Zealand’s first contemporary feature film spoken entirely in te reo Māori, presented a unique challenge for Nātana, while Tāne Rore is bilingual, with much of the production in English.

“When it comes to te reo Māori, I know common stuff and some complex stuff but not all the complex stuff,” Nātana said.

The show draws on real-life experiences of its performers, with Nātana sharing several of his own stories.

Jason Te Mete said his nephew had developed a “pretty remarkable” body of work.

He said the young actor had always been a character, “quirky with a big smile” and a “little cheek”.

“Being witty, quick, and responsive is terrifying to many young actors but not this one.

“He has the memory to re-tell a whole story, and then he adds his character to make it better.”

Te Mete said Tāne Rore was a celebration of Māori men in all their complexity.

“It’s funny, it’s physical, it’s insightful and it’s deeply personal,” he said.

“I think the show is ultimately about connection; connection to each other, connection to the men who came before us, and connection to the young men who will come after us.”

Tāne Rore is at Baycourt on October 27-29 during the Tauranga Arts Festival. Two matinee performances have sold out.