The Cast of Shrek - Kātahi Te Korokē Announced

Māoriland Productions and DreamWorks Animation have revealed the cast for Shrek - Kātahi Te Korokē, the first-ever te reo Māori adaptation of the beloved animated classic.

Leading the lineup is actor and musician Maaka Pohatu as Shrek, with Tuakoi Ohia bringing her vocal talents to Princess Fiona.

Donkey, the chatterbox we all love, is played by Taringa podcast host Te Puaheiri Snowden, while Jeremy Tātere McLeod gives us a hilariously pompous Lord Farquaad.

Bringing Shrek to life in te reo Māori was a challenge director Tainui Stephens embraced with enthusiasm.

 “The film is so funny and meaningful—so too is our reo and our culture,” he said. The cast, many of whom grew up with Shrek, worked to honor the original performances while infusing them with Māori humor and storytelling.

The world premiere is set for March 27, 2025, at the Māoriland Film Festival in Ōtaki, before a nationwide tour and a TVNZ screening later in the year.

If you've ever wondered what “That’ll do, Donkey” sounds like in te reo, mark your calendars—this one's a must-watch!