Alex Tarrant in Niue, filming for Descendants of Niue: Tau Hologa Niue. Photo credit: Facebook/Descendants of Niue.
By Michelle Curran
Executive Communications Manager, Pasifika TV/PCBL
A familiar face on our screens across Moana Nui, actor Alex Tarrant is well-versed in playing various characters and sharing their stories, but his most recent projects have been a much more personal – and at times – transcendent experience.
With Māori, Niuean and Samoan roots, Alex grew up in Raglan, Morrinsville and Hamilton, in the Waikato region of Aotearoa.
Known for his on role in NCIS Hawai’i, and most recently DMV, Alex also features in an episode of the Aotearoa New Zealand Pacific Media Regional Fund (PRMF) five-part documentary series, Descendants of Niue: Tau Hologa Niue, produced by Kingston Productions with the Broadcasting Corporation of Niue.
Alex says it was his cousin, cameraman Jack Tarrant who told him about the series, and there was an opportunity to return to Niue to learn about his heritage, while documenting the experience.
Having spent some time growing up with his grandmother Ioana Mahikusifa Atina Fatatautama Tarrant in Hamilton and hearing stories of her life in Niue, Alex used the unique experience to explore where she hails from, in Hapuku.
“It turned into a powerful rediscovery of family, identity, and a deeply personal homecoming I never expected,” Alex says.
“Projects like Descendants of Niue can create a sense of connection through shared experience.
“It has connected me to others who feel comfortable telling me they don’t know about their culture either and it opens the door to an actionable desire, to discover.
“The story is open ended – an early chapter in a novel.
“To know our grandmother has held a space for descendants makes me feel a desire to go back more than ever…there will be more to this story.”
Meanwhile, there has been a twist or two in Alex’s other recent project, Sgt. Haane.
Alex Tarrant plays war hero Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi in Sgt. Haane. Photo credit: Sgt. Haane.
While preparing to play war hero Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi (Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa) of the 28th Māori Battalion, Alex discovered he can whakapapa back to the recognised soldier.
Released in New Zealand two days before Anzac Day 2026, the film, directed by Tearepa Kahi, follows the true story of Haane and his role in the 1943 assault on Takrouna, Tunisia, during World War II.
The attack on the limestone stronghold saw Haane’s unit face heavy enemy fire in difficult conditions with the position defended by over 300 troops, while earning Haane accolades of gallant bravery and courage.
Alex says the idea of filling the shoes of someone so great, who has achieved such a feat is hard to process.
While he is still tracing the full details of the family link, he says his father grew up in Rotorua, the same region Haane came from.
The connection became clear on set when Alex mentioned a family name and was told by a descendant they were related.
For Alex, Pacific values have become hugely important in not only his daily decisions in life, but also within his mahi.
Those values are even more important when sharing his family’s stories, he adds.
While the actor is uncertain what is next in the pipeline, Alex is hopeful he can continue his journey in the Pacific space, where he is undoubtedly being guided by his ancestors.