Temuera Morrison
Dr Hone Ropata, Jake Heke, Jango Fett … Temuera Morrison is best known for his roles – and memorable one-liners – in film and television productions like Once Were Warriors, Star Wars and Shortland Street. But his latest project – an album of easy listening covers simply called Tem – sees the Rotorua-born actor turn his hand to the family business of singing.
Nephew to the late, great crooner Sir Howard Morrison and a member of the Morrison family entertainment dynasty, Temuera Morrison says his childhood years in the Bay of Plenty was the perfect training ground for his latest career move.
“Yes, I was fortunate. We were all put on the stage at a pretty young age doing all the classic kapa haka songs, and so we’d perform before all the adults. And then of course as we grew up, Uncle Howard would include us in his big shows … so I guess all that was training.”
For his debut album, Morrison has tackled a set of sing-along classics from musicians like Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley and The Beatles - all Morrison family favourites - plus his take on classic Maori love song E Ipo.
Temuera Morrison talks to Sam Wicks about his new career path and his selections for Tem, and reflects on what Uncle Howard and his dad, Laurie Morrison, would have made of his moonlighting gig.
Related Audio
Temuera speaking with Noelle McCarthy, January 2013
Temuera Morrison remembers his uncle Howard
Sir Howard Morrison in conversation, 2008
The 20th Anniversary of Once Were Warriors on Standing Room Only
Music Details
Artist: Temuera Morrison
Song: Midnight Special
Composer: J.C.Fogerty
Album: Tem
Label: Sony Music
Artist: Temuera Morrison
Song: Bring It On Home To Me
Composer: S.Cooke
Album: Tem
Label: Sony Music
Artist: Temuera Morrison
Song: It's Not Unusual
Composer: G.Mills, L.Reed
Album: Tem
Label: Sony Music
Artist: Temuera Morrison
Song: I Can't Help Falling In Love With You
Composer: H.Peretti, L.Creatore, G.Weiss
Album: Tem
Label: Sony Music
Artist: Temuera Morrison ft. Dennis Marsh
Song: E Ipo
Composer: T.Teka, N.Pewhairangi
Album: Tem
Label: Sony Music
Artist: Temuera Morrison
Song: Easy
Composer: L.Ritchie
Album: Tem
Label: Sony Music
