Maaka Pohatu is a New Zealand actor and musician. He is also a founding member of MÃÂori showband the Modern MÃÂori Quartet. He co-wrote and performed songs, with the other band members, for the Modern MÃÂori Quartet's debut album That's Us! (2017).
Pohatu co-stars on the New Zealand mockumentary comedy horror television series Wellington Paranormal, part of the What We Do in the Shadows franchise. In 2018, Pohatu, along with other members of Modern MÃÂori Quartet, began touring their cabaret show Modern MÃÂori Quartet: Two Worlds. Pohatu co-hosted MÃÂori Television's My Party Song as part of the Modern MÃÂori Quartet. He had featured roles in the films Two Little Boys (2012) and Poi E (2016).
Pohatu was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and is of MÃÂori (NgÃÂi TÃÂmanuhiri, NgÃÂti Apa, NgÃÂti Tà «wharetoa) descent. He is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School (Te Kura Toi Whakaari à  Aotearoa), earning a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) in 2005.
Pohatu performed as Ajax in the te reo MÃÂori version of Troilus and Cressida at the Globe Theatre in London, alongside fellow Toi Whakaari graduates and Modern MÃÂori Quartet bandmates, James Tito (Diomedes) and Matu Ngaropo (Achilles). In January 2020, Pohatu performed in Modern MÃÂori Quartet: Two Worlds at the Off-Broadway theatre, SoHo Playhouse.
Pohatu made his movie debut as Gav, flatmate to Bret McKenzie's character, in Two Little Boys (2012). He portrayed Dalvanius Prime, the MÃÂori musical legend behind the 1984 te reo MÃÂori hit "Poi E", in the film Poi E (2016). Pohatu, and the other members of the Modern MÃÂori Quartet, served as the in-house band on MÃÂori televisionâÂÂs variety show, Happy Hour (2014). He also acted in some of the show's comedy sketches. He plays the role of Sergeant Ruawai Maaka on Wellington Paranormal, the New Zealand television spin-off of Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows. In 2024 he appeared in The Rule of Jenny Pen.
In 2025, he had the title role of Warren Harrison in the science fiction comedy series Warren's Vortex. He had a guest role in the premiere episode of Blue Murder Motel.
Pohatu is a member of the MÃÂori showband the Modern MÃÂori Quartet, alongside Francis Kora, Matariki Whatarau and James Tito.
Pohatu has been given the nickname "Human Jukebox" because of his extensive musical knowledge.