“We've got a thing called the 'tall poppy syndrome' in New Zealand, where if anyone is doing really well, it's quite common to try and bring them down - like, cut them down and say, 'You've been to the moon? So what? I mean, plenty of people have been to the moon.'”

New Zealand filmmaker, writer, actor, and comedian

Taika Waititi, born Taika David Cohen, is a New Zealand filmmaker, writer, actor, and comedian. He has built a career across film and television and is known for work that blends humor with character-driven storytelling. Waititi has received major honors including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award. He has also been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and six Emmy Awards, and Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.