Taika Waititi named New Zealander of the Year

 Film director and actor Taika Waititi has been named New Zealander of the Year.

Waititi’s directed Hunt for the Wilderpeople.  It was the largest grossing New Zealand film at the New Zealand box office ever.

Waititi was unable to accept the award in person at the awards ceremony last night, as he is currently directing the Marvel superhero film Thor in Los Angeles.

Earlier this week the Hunt for the Wilderpeople took out many of the awards at the New Zealand film awards.