Taika Waititi is an Academy Award® and GRAMMY® winning, Emmy®-nominated writer, director, actor, and producer known for blending heart, humor, and a deeply original voice across film and TV. Who is Taika Waititi? Taika Waititi, born Taika David Cohen on August 16, 1975, in Wellington, New Zealand, is a prominent filmmaker known for his unique blend of humor and heart in his storytelling. Raised in a diverse cultural environment, Waititi is of Māori descent, specifically from the Ngāti Tāwhaki and Ngāti Rarua tribes, and he also has European ancestry, which enriches his artistic perspective. His multicultural background has significantly influenced his filmmaking style ... Taika Waititi is blowing up, mainly because he brings a fresh style to Hollywood and television. Here’s what you need to know. Learn about Taika Waititi, a New Zealand filmmaker, actor and comedian who gained international recognition for his idiosyncratic style of storytelling. Discover his early influences, his award-winning films, his advocacy for indigenous cultures and his legacy for Aotearoa New Zealand.