Vale Aroha Awarau

It is with deep sadness that we mark the death of DEGANZ member Aroha Awarau, who passed away peacefully on 14 January 2026 in hospice after a short battle with cancer.

Aroha joined DEGANZ in 2025 and was selected to participate in the Melbourne International Film Festival’s Accelerator Lab as one of seven directors from Aotearoa to attend with the Guild. He began his career as a journalist and a playwright and quickly became known and respected for highlighting Māori perspectives in current affairs. In 2015, he made his screen debut as a writer with his short film Home, followed by Disrupt in 2021. His more recent screen works include Puti (2025), which screened at Whānau Mārama NZIFF’s Ngā Whanaunga Aotearoa: New Zealand’s Best short film programme. At the time of his passing, Aroha was developing his first feature film, Hidden, a story about human trafficking in Auckland, which he wrote during the screenwriting accelerator at Māoriland. He was also writing Redemption League, a feature about a troubled and disgraced rugby league star who finds purpose and redemption in prison.

Aroha will be at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kōtuku (92 Simpson Road, Ranui, Auckland 0614) on Thursday, 15 January and Friday, 16 January during the updated open times of 8am, 10am, and 12pm. All are welcome to join and pay final respects.

Moe mai rā ki a Aroha Awarau.

Last updated on 29 January 2026