Anzac Wallace

Anzac Hohepa Wallace (born Norman Pene Rewiri; 15 September 1945 – 8 April 2019), also known as Zac Wallace, was a New Zealand actor and former trade union delegate.[1][2][3][4] He is best known for his role as Te Wheke in the 1983 New Zealand film Utu.[5][6][7]

Early life

Wallace was born on 15 September 1945.[4] He grew up in Mission Bay, Auckland. His iwi affiliation was Ngāpuhi.[8] As a youth, he was involved in petty crime, eventually escalating to armed robbery, for which he spent several years in prison until 1974. During his time in prison, he taught himself to read.[9][1] He then went to work in earthmoving, working as part of the Auckland Mangere Bridge project.[3]

Career

Despite having minimal acting experience, Wallace was cast in the lead role of Te Wheke in Geoff Murphy's acclaimed 1983 film Utu.[1] In 1985 he appeared in The Silent One, The Quiet Earth and Dangerous Orphans.[3] Shortly afterwards, he departed for Australia, returning to New Zealand in 2013.[3] He appeared in Shortland Street as Rocky Hannah in 2016.[3]

Death

Wallace died on 8 April 2019 from cancer.[10][11] He was survived by his wife, Deidre Nehua.[12]

References
  1. Gelder, Lawrence Van (30 September 1984). "Out of Prison and into the Movies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  2. "Zac Wallace a modern day warrior". www.waateanews.com. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  3. Screen, NZ On. "Anzac Wallace | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  4. "Anzac Wallace obituary". The New Zealand Herald. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  5. "'The Dead Lands' and pre-colonial representation in cinema". SBS Movies. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  6. Pulver, Andrew (4 December 2018). "Geoff Murphy, pioneer of modern New Zealand cinema, dies aged 80". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  7. Screen, NZ On. "Utu | Film | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  8. 'Utu' lead actor Anzac Wallace passes away, Māori Television, 8 April 2019
  9. "Anzac Wallace went from teenage thief to scene-stealer and activist". Stuff. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  10. "Utu actor Zac Wallace dies from cancer". TVNZ. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  11. "Revered Utu actor Anzac Wallace dies following battle with cancer". 8 April 2019. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  12. Hayden, Leonie (9 April 2019). "In memory of Anzac Wallace". The Spinoff. Retrieved 6 July 2019.


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