Mark Ruka Actor Profile

Profile

Ethnicity

Māori

Location

Hamilton, New Zealand

Height

177 cm

Age Range

42–52

Career Highlights


Mark is a Māori-New Zealand actor and director, who has been working in the film industry for over 20 years. In 2005, he landed the role of core cast member Zack Wiki in drama series Orange Roughies, and has since gone on to appear in series such as Stolen, Abandoned and Resolve. He has starred in feature films such as The World’s Fastest Indian, River Queen and Mahana. Behind the camera, Mark has written for films such as The Lost Pearl and Baby Steps, which he also directed.

Awards.

2006TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards Nomination-Rising Star-Orange Roughies

Short Film.

2016Waru (Guest)Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions
2011Baby StepsTinopai Film
Dir. Mark Ruka
2004Aqua BlacksMarkCyvonde Productions
Dir. Brendon Donovan
2004Changing of the GuardsTana (Lead )B on Guard Productions
Dir. Joseph Lee
2004Tama TuPaki (Lead )Aio Pictures
Dir. Taika Cohen
2002Spring FlamesGiovaani CarausoDir. Aileen O'Sullivan
1999Under the RadarLovisDir. Michael Duignan

Feature Film.

2015MahanaMaatiu (Major Support)The Patriarch Ltd.
Dir. Lee Tamahori
2015The RehearsalStanley's Dad (Support)Rehearsal Films
Dir. Alison Maclean
2009MatarikiTama (Support)Filmwork (Matariki) Ltd
Dir. Michael Bennett
2005No. 2Short Mate (Support)No.2 Productions
Dir. Toa Fraser
2004River QueenHone (Lead)Silverscreen Productions
Dir. Vincent Ward
2004The World's Fastest IndianCrewman (Support )WFI Productions
Dir. Roger Donaldson
2002Crime StoryStreet KidKahukura Productions
Dir. Larry Parr
2001ZenolithDrama StudentMTXM Movies
Dir. Maurice Murphy
1999Lord of the RingsOrcWingnuts Films
Dir. Peter Jackson

Television.

2019The Borkenwood Mysteries - Season 6Tamati TaylorSouth Pacific Pictures Ltd
Dir. Various
2017ResolveTama GarlickScreentime NZ Ltd
Dir. Peter Burger
2017ResolveTama GarlickScreentime
Dir. Peter Burger
2017The Brokenwood Mysteries Series 4, 'The Scarecrow'Tamati Taylor (Guest)South Pacific Pictures
Dir. Various
2016Dear MurdererMatt RuahineScreentime NZ Ltd
2015AbandonedShane (Major Support)Making Movies Ltd
Dir. John Laing
2010StolenJarmie (Support)South Pacific Pictures Productions Limted
Dir. Britta Johnstone
2009The CultNeil Barrett (Guest)Great Southern Television Ltd
Dir. Peter Salmon
2008Korero MaiClinton (Lead/Core)Cinco Cine
2008Waimarie - PIlotSam4 Winds Fims Ltd
Dir. Katie Wolfe
2007Korero MaiJohnMaori Television Ltd
2005Orange Roughies Series 1Zack Wiki (Lead/Core)ScreenWorks
Dir. Chris Bailey & John Laing
2005TaongaWillian Fox Junior (Regular Recurring)Greenstone Pictures
Dir. Maawhi Torrance
2005The MarketMaxIsola Productions
2004Mataku 'The Prisoner' Series 3Zak (Lead)4 Winds Film
Dir. Michael Bennett
2003RevelationsTukuCloud 9 Screen Entertainment

Theatre.

2017A Street Car Named DesireMitch Dir. Shane Bosher
2017CellfishVarious (Lead)Silo Theatre
Dir. Jason Te Kare
2009Le Sud TamaArmstrong Creative
Dir. Conrad Newport
2009Station to StationSon (Lead)Passenger Films Ltd
Dir. Cameron Rhodes
2007Station to StationSonAuckland Theatre Company
Dir. Paul Gittins
2006Take Me OutDavey BattleSilo Theatre, Auckland
Dir. Shane Bosher
2006This Is How It GoesCody PhippsSilo Theatre, Auckland
Dir. Jeff Szusterman
2004The Prophet - Tour North Island & HawaiiAndrew BeautifulInternational Festival of the Arts
Dir. Nina Nawalowalo
2003New Gold DreamBrianAuckland Theatre Company Literary Unit
Dir. Oliver Driver
2003Play 2.03MacAuckland Theatre Company 2econd Unit
Dir. Oliver Driver
2003Te Ao Marama - New Zealand Arts FestivalMuaTe Ao Marama Partners
2002ProspectsWhetu KingiNew Zealand Drama School Productions
Dir. Mark Ruka
2002The ProphetAndrew BeautifulNew Zealand Drama School Productions
Dir. Hone Kouka / Kirk Torrence
2002The RoverDon PedroNew Zealand Drama School Productions
Dir. James Beaumont
2001Nga PukeWaruNew Zealand Drama School Productions
Dir. Simone Lourie
2001Nga Tangata ToaTaneatuaNew Zealand Drama School Productions
Dir. Karl Kite Rangi
2001Orpheus DecendingUncle PleasantNew Zealand Drama School Productions
Dir. Miranda Harcourt
2001The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her LoverRoyNew Zealand Drama School Productions
Dir. Jude Gibson
2001Who Needs A VespaPriestNew Zealand Drama School Productions
Dir. Jude Gibson
2000The Bystery CyclesJohn the Baptist/DecipleNew Zealand Drama School Productions
Dir. Annie Ruth
1999Lovelocks Dream RunPikeWellington Performing Arts Productions
Dir. Andrew Foster
1999Spring AwakeningsMoritz StiefelWellington Performing Arts Productions
Dir. Jude Gibson

Training.

Bachelor of Performing Arts - Acting Major - 2000, Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School
Diploma of Arts - Drama & Theatre History Major - 1999, Wellington Performing Arts School