Matariki Whatarau is a New Zealand actor and musician. Whatarau 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).
Whatarau appeared on the television programmes, Go Girls and Find me a MÃÂori Bride. Whatarau also had a feature role in the film The PÃÂ Boys (2014). Whatarau co-hosted MÃÂori Television's My Party Song as part of the Modern MÃÂori Quartet. In 2018, Matariki, along with other members of the Modern MÃÂori Quartet, began touring their cabaret show Modern MÃÂori Quartet: Two Worlds.
Whatarau was born in Auckland (TÃÂmaki Makaurau), New Zealand and is of MÃÂori (NgÃÂti Kahungunu, NgÃÂti Raukawa, NgÃÂti Whanaunga) descent. Matariki attended high school in Beijing, China and in Lilongwe, Malawi. Whatarau is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School (Te Kura Toi Whakaari à  Aotearoa) earning a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) in 2009.
Whatarau performed in the theatre shows, Awhi Tapu and Party with the Aunties.
In January 2020, Whatarau performed in, Modern MÃÂori Quartet: Two Worlds, at the Off-Broadway theatre, SoHo Playhouse.
Whatarau had a leading role as 'Tau', in the NZ film The PàBoys, alongside fellow Modern MÃÂori Quartet band member Francis Kora. Whatarau also had supporting roles in the films The Dead Lands (2014) and Mahana (2016). For 2 seasons, Matariki played, George Alpert, in the MÃÂori Television mockumentary series, Find Me a MÃÂori Bride (2015âÂÂ2017). Matariki, 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 shows comedy sketches.
Whatarau is a member of MÃÂori showband the Modern MÃÂori Quartet, alongside Maaka Pohatu, Francis Kora and James Tito.
Matariki is a fluent speaker of Mandarin.