Actor, Entertainer, Writer, Creative Producer

BIO

Meet Rutene Spooner

Rutene Spooner is one of New Zealand’s exciting and versatile entertainers, with a career spanning musical theatre, cabaret, live performance, acting, singing and television.

Rutene’s accolades include Excellence in Performance (Auckland Theatre Awards), the Grant Tilly Actor of the Year Award (Wellington Theatre Awards), and the VAC New Zealand Male Entertainer of the Year.

Rutene has been captivating audiences with his cabaret shows, Be Like Billy and Thoroughly Modern Māui, and is now currently playing a principal role in Disney’s hit musical The Lion King.

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PERFORMER
PRODUCTIONS
PRODUCTIONS
CREATIVE

  • "Spooner is Aotearoa's next big entertainment Star: a powerful charismatic anthem performer…"

    — Theatreview

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PRODUCTIONS

  • Be Like Billy?

    THEATRE / MUSICAL

    An electrifying, big-band tribute cabaret backed by a live showband that honors the legendary Māori comedian Billy T James. It’s everything but an impersonation show, blending original waiata and garage party classics with a poignant exploration of Māori showmanship.

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  • The Velvet Rebels

    CABARET / CONCERT

    Aotearoa’s very own Vegas-style jazz tribute cabaret created by Rutene Spooner and Shea Kokaua that channels the swing and swagger of the iconic Rat Pack era, blending timeless big-band classics with the musical spirit of the South Pacific

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    Thoroughly Modern Māui

    COMEDY CABARET

    A satirical cabaret show by Māori musical theatre artist Rutene Spooner that blends comedy, original music, and storytelling to examine contemporary indigenous identity through the legendary demigod Māui.

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  • Hardcase Hori Housie

    THEATRE / CABARET

    A cheeky, interactive theatre-cabaret show framed as a classic Kiwi community fundraiser. The show blends genuine rounds of housie—complete with traditional raffle prizes like meat packs—with character-driven comedy, special guests, and nostalgic, live-band singalongs.

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