Lights, camera, laughter!

When Orion Point resident Don Mihaere retired at 68, he swapped working life and musical gigs for something entirely different – the bright lights of film and television. Twelve years later, he’s appeared in everything from Shortland Street to The Brokenwood Mysteries, Lord of the Rings, and most recently, he played perennial politician Winston Peters in the Pike River movie.

I just love it,” says Don. “You meet so many interesting people – from actors to makeup artists, and every crew becomes like a family. I’ve never worked with a crew I didn’t like.” But his path to the screen began long before the cameras rolled. Growing up in Ōpōtiki, Don was steeped in music from the start. His iwi is Whakatōhea, and his hapū include Patumoana, Ngāi Tama and Ngāi Tai. “I was brought up strumming a guitar or ukulele,” he recalls. “And I was taught piano by a very strict nun from age seven. You didn’t miss a note with her around!” By nine, Don had won a national children’s piano competition. His love of music led to plenty of adventures. “When I was 15, I played piano in a band, and we performed in every local hall from Rautoria East Coast to Kawerau in the West. I was also in a band with my cousin Kay, who was the lead singer.” One night, a young fella asked if he could sing with them. “Kay wasn’t too keen, but I said, ‘Aw, let him have a go.’ He sang one song and jeez he had a really good voice. Turned out it was John Rowles!” Don laughs.

After his teenage band came the Royal New Zealand Navy, where Don served from 1964 to 1967 aboard HMNZS Royalist. During this period, he patrolled Malaya/Borneo amid the tense confrontation with Indonesia and toured from Auckland to Pearl Harbour and the Far East.

"In Pearl Harbour we were billeted by a lady who looked very important – there were lots of flags on her car,” he smiles. “Her husband, referred to as ‘Cincpac’ came out for lunch, and when I got back to the ship, I asked who Cincpac was. Turns out he was Commander-in-Chief of Pacific Forces, the big boss!” These days, the acting bug still keeps Don busy. Through his work as an extra with BGT Talent, he’s donned robes as a Lord of the Rings Loremaster, sat in hospital board meetings on Shortland Street, and even braved the elements for Chief of War, starring Jason Momoa. “One time I was playing a village elder, and went to pick up my costume, and the bag was empty. The costume lady said, ‘No, it’s in the bottom,’ and sure enough, there was a tiny loincloth. That was it!” he laughs. “Me and another extra were up a hill in the freezing cold wearing nothing but a tiny strip of material. I was supposed to be there four days, but after one, I said, ‘No more!’ It was too cold.”

When he’s not on set, Don enjoys the calm and views from his Orion Point home, where he’s lived with his wife Robin and dog Tuppence, for almost a year. “I really love it here,” he says. “The natural light drew me in, and the staff, from the café to maintenance are all fantastic.”

From piano recitals to patrol ships, and now production stages, Don’s life reads like a screenplay – one filled with music, mischief, and a good dose of humour.