User:Raintheone/Nikau

Nikau Parata is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Home and Away, played by Kawakawa Fox-Reo. The character made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 28 January 2020.

Casting
Fox-Reo began filming with Home and Away during mid 2019 and had to keep his involvement a secret. Fox-Reo's casting was announced alongside that of Rob Kipa-Williams (Ari Parata) in a November 2019 issue of TV Soap. Further casting and character details were announced on 29 December 2019. Three months after securing a place at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Fox-Reo was offered the role of Nikau, and he chose to give up his place at the academy to accept it. He admitted that he has been suffering from home sickness since relocating to Sydney, where the show's studio is located.

Fox-Reo, Kipa-Williams, Ethan Browne (Tane Parata) and Bree Peters (Gemma Parata) form the show's first permanent Māori family. The actors worked with the show's writers to make sure the family were authentic. All four actors are New Zealand born with a Māori background. Fox-Reo explained, "My desire and my wish is that when people watch it back home, they see a world that's real familiar to them – how we treat each other as a family, our sense of humour. I've tried my best to integrate as much of my upbringing into this character and hopefully people back home like it." Home and Away features many scenes filmed on the beach and actors usually go shirtless. Fox-Reo told Jonathon Moran of The Daily Telegraph that he was worried about joining the show because he was self-conscious about being too "skinny" for the scenes.

Characterisation
Nikau is characterised as a rebellious teenager who found adjusting to life in Summer Bay confusing. The show's official website stated "Nikau is a boy on the brink of manhood who has recently been ripped from a world that made sense." Fox-Reo explained Nikau has "a strong relationship with his mum and he is very much a family orientated guy." Fox-Reo told Maddison Hockey from TV Week that Nikau is "impulsive at times", not shy around girls. He added "ultimately, as with any new environment, he's trying to find his place in Summer Bay." Nikau is portrayed as a wayward teen and Fox-Reo explained that Nikau cannot handle not getting his own way. He added that Nikau "responds in a way that's self sabotaging." In an interview with Jackie Brygel of New Idea, Fox-Reo described Nikau as "a young guy trying to find his feet in a new place." Fox-Reo told a reporter from Girlfriend magazine that he was similar to Nikau because they are both "family orientated" and both "mama's boys".

Like Fox-Reo, Nikau is a Maori and the actors involved wanted the Parata family to be authentic. Fox-Reo told Kerry Harvey from Stuff.co.nz that he wanted people of Maori culture to identify with them. He tried to incorporate his own life experiences into the character, such as his upbringing and how Maori families behave. Fox-Reo was mindful about speaking Te Reo Māori in scenes because he wanted it to be portrayed correctly. He would telephone his mother, Sarah for pronunciation advice and dialogue critique. Producers also employed Scotty and Stacey Morrison to work as Te reo Maori language experts and tikanga advisers for the show.

Introduction
To promote the Parata's arrival in the show, Home and Away produced a trailer featuring spoiler scenes. When Nikau is introduced he is still grieving the death of his father. Fox-Reo told Harvey that "you'll definitely see my character stir up trouble around Summer Bay." The character initially interacts with Jade Lennox (Mia Morrissey), who released a sex tape and made a false allegation against Ryder Jackson (Lukas Radovich). Nikau ends up punching Ryder after he tries to warn Nikau about Jade.

Nikau's uncle is the final member of the Parata family to be introduced. His arrival is scripted to include Nikau's problems settling into Summer Bay. Browne told Ira Heyder of Gisborne Herald that he Ari does not want Tane influencing Nikau with his lifestyle. He added that Nikau "reaches out to my character and asks me to come to Summer Bay and look after him."

Relationship with Bella Nixon
Prior to his arrival, it was reported that Nikau would be a love interest for established character Bella Nixon (Courtney Miller). Ryder introduces Nikau and Bella to each other and they become friends, resulting in Ryder feeling left out. They spend time together but are met with disapproval from Bella's friend Dean Thompson (Patrick O'Connor). Nikau continues to spend time with her and they find similarities in how their families are broken and unconventional and bond. Ryder becomes concerned about Nikau and Bella's friendship, worrying she is too fragile after a series of personal problems. Ryder warns Nikau to be careful and discloses her personal information.

Reception
For his portrayal of Nikau, Fox-Reo was nominated for "Best Newcomer" at the 2020 Radio Times Soap Awards. Johnathon Hughes from the publication stated that "hotheaded and impulsive, Nik could've been like a million other off-the-rails teens who've rocked up in the Bay over the years, but Fox-Reo is a breath of fresh air as part of the soap's first indigenous family and we feel like he's been there for ages already." Simon Timblick from What's on TV branded Nikau a "troubled soul". Jonathon Moran of The Daily Telegraph branded him "the hot new guy in Summer Bay". A writer from TVNZ believed that the Parata family would "embody a taste" of New Zealand, and added that they were "trilled" about their inroduction. A Girlfriend magazine writer opined that Nikau is a "rebellious" character.