Pio Terei

Pio Keith Terei (born 1958) is a Māori actor, singer and comedian on New Zealand television.

Early career Early in his working life he sold light commercial trucks for 14 years. In 1995 Terei headlined his own TV3 show Pete and Pio with fellow comedian Peter Rowley. After the success of Pete and Pio, Terei led his own show called Pio!, featuring similar skits to his previous programme. It ran from 1997 to 1999 and it was during this period that he hosted the Coca Cola Christmas in the Park. When Pio! was cancelled in 1999, Terei moved to the TVNZ network.

In 2000, Terei led a TVNZ programme entitled The Life and Times of Te Tutu, a comedy following the daily life of an 1800s Māori chief. Under his own Pipi Productions company, The Life and Times of Te Tutu played weekly until cancelled in 2001, when Terei ceased work under Pipi Productions.

Comeback His comeback was with the TV ONE series Intrepid Journeys - a travel show where each week a New Zealand celebrity would travel to a different destination. Terei, who hosted Intrepid Journeys: India, was praised for his comical yet informative segment which followed him across India, in a 90-minute special.

After that appearance, Terei wrote pieces for his new production company 4 Winds Studios which were contributed to the New Zealand dramas Mataku and Spin Doctors. In 2003 he was granted his own show again, entitled Big Saturday Night In. It featured New Zealand musicians from current and past years performing special acts - sometimes accompanied by Terei.

Terei and his 4 Winds Studios company contribute work to the Māori Television channel. He hosts his own fishing show on the channel and is a spokesperson for the New Zealand Coastguard. He is on staff as Pou Tangata and presenter at Parenting Place., a national charity that supports parents and families in New Zealand. Since 2003 he has presented Building Awesome Whānau around the country and with Parenting Place, launched a new touring programme called "The Parenting Show with Pio" in 2011. He has helped write and present two, thirteen-part series of parenting programmes on Māori TV called "No Sweat Parenting / Manaaki Whānau" 2009 and 2010. He has also been the advertising face of the Freeview digital television platform since 2012.

As at 2021 Pio Terei is represented by the talent agency Auckland Actors.

Honours and awards

In 1997 he was presented the Rielly Comedy Award by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand.

In the 2012 New Year Honours, Terei was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to entertainment.

Personal life Terei's first name, Pio, is Italian. Terei resides with his wife and children in Auckland, New Zealand. The family currently stars in a New Zealand travel show entitled Are We There Yet? on TV ONE.

In his spare time, Terei is a known fishing enthusiast and musician. He frequently hosts corporate functions around New Zealand and is extremely popular as emcee. In interviews he has mentioned having a significant interest in New Zealand parenting values. He also has an interest in vintage cars and currently owns a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air. As at 2010 he was a member (representing parents) on the Board of Trustees of St Peter's College, Auckland.

Filmography Film Role Year NoteTe Aroroa: Tales from the trails as himself 2015-16 Maori TV It's in the Bag As himself, host2009-2013 TV game showThe Man Who Lost His Head Hemi 2007 TVNo. 2 Uncle Percy 2006 Frontier Tales Narrator 2003 TVMataku Tama 2002 Divine Intervention (TV) 1 episodeThe Life & Times of Te Tutu Te Tutu 1999 TVYoung Hercules Corleonus 1998 Sisters (TV) 1 episodePio! as himself 1997 TV seriesPio's Place as himself 1996 TV seriesHercules in the Maze of the Minotaur Innkeeper 1994 TVHercules in the Underworld Sestus 1994 TV