Pana Hema-Taylor Biography: Wife, Age, Kids, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Movies & TV Shows, Girlfriend

Pana Hema-Taylor is a talented New Zealand actor known for his work in both local and international television productions.

He gained international recognition for portraying Nasir, a Syrian rebel gladiator, in the historical drama series Spartacus, a role that introduced him to a global audience.

He later strengthened his reputation in New Zealand television with major roles as Jared Morehu in the crime mystery series The Brokenwood Mysteries and Bert Thompson in the acclaimed period drama Westside.

Pana Hema-Taylor
Wiki Facts & About Data
Name:	Pana Hema-Taylor
Born:	September 14, 1989 (age 36 years old)
Place of Birth:	Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality:	New Zealander
Height:	1.78m
Parents:	Mr. and Mrs. Hema-Taylor
Spouse:	Danielle Cormack (m. 2009–2013)
Relationship:	Divorced
Children:	Te Ahi Ka Hema-Taylor and Tiare Masina Hema-Taylor
Occupation:	Actor
Net Worth:	$1.2 million

Early Life and Education

Pana Hema-Taylor was born on September 14, 1989, in Auckland, New Zealand. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hema-Taylor, separated when he was young, leading him to spend his childhood in different parts of the country.

He spent his early years in the rural town of Wairoa on the East Coast, where he was exposed to local street gang culture through the Mongrel Mob. Concerned about his future, his family sent him to live with his father in Christchurch on the South Island, where he attended Aranui High School.

During high school, he developed a strong passion for the performing arts and won a national youth theatre award in 2007 for his portrayal of Mercutio in a school production of Romeo and Juliet. He is of Māori heritage, affiliated with the Ngāti Kahungunu iwi, and maintains a strong connection to traditional Māori spirituality.

Career

Pana Hema-Taylor began their career in 2007 by making his professional television debut on Whanau, which was an educational series produced for the indigenous Māori television network.

This early exposure paved the way for his transition into feature films, allowing him to work under prominent filmmakers like Taika Waititi in the critically acclaimed 2010 comedy-drama Boy. His natural talent for capturing raw, emotional character depths quickly caught the attention of international casting directors, resulting in a life-changing career opportunity within a major global franchise.

He achieved an international breakthrough in 2012 when he joined the main cast of the Starz premium cable series Spartacus: Vengeance, where he took on the complex role of Nasir, a former house slave turned fierce rebel warrior. He reprised this popular role the following year in Spartacus: War of the Damned, earning critical praise for his nuanced performance and establishing himself as a recognizable face to millions of fantasy television fans worldwide.

Following the conclusion of the epic series, he transitioned his professional focus back to New Zealand, where he immediately secured starring roles in high-profile local projects, including the 2014 action film The Dead Lands.

He further consolidated his domestic television standing by landing the series regular role of Jared Morehu in the long-running murder mystery franchise The Brokenwood Mysteries, a character he portrayed faithfully across six successful seasons. Concurrently, he showcased his range by playing the recurring character of Bert Thompson in the hit 1970s-era crime drama Westside, appearing in nearly fifty episodes over a five-year television run.

He expanded his dramatic portfolio through compelling performances in the true-crime television film Resolve and the thriller series The Gulf, proving his enduring industry standing as one of New Zealand’s most reliable and culturally significant screen performers.

Social Media

• Pana Hema-Taylor does not have any verified social media accounts

Personal Life

Pana Hema-Taylor was born on September 14, 1989, and is currently 36 years old. He married fellow New Zealand actress Danielle Cormack in 2009 after meeting her during a theatrical production, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2013.

They share a son, Te Ahi Ka Hema-Taylor, born on March 19, 2010, and continue to co-parent him amicably. After the divorce, he began a relationship with Naomi Campbell, with whom he welcomed a daughter, Tiare Masina Hema-Taylor, in March 2015 before the couple later separated.

He is known for being protective of his family, a trait highlighted in 2016 when he intervened outside a family home to defend his mother and sister during a confrontation with local gang members.

Filmography

• Boy (2010)
• Kawa (2010)
• The Most Fun You Can Have Dying (2012)
• The Dead Lands (2014)

Television:

• Whanau (2007)
• Spartacus: Vengeance (2012)
• Spartacus: War of the Damned (2013)
• The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014–2019)
• Westside (2015–2020)
• Dirty Laundry (2016)
• Resolve (2017)
• The Gulf (2019–2021)
• Dead Ahead (2025)

Net Worth

Pana Hema-Taylor has accumulated an estimated net worth of $1.2 million. He has earned the core of his wealth through his steady professional acting career, which includes lucrative international contracts for American television networks alongside sustained leading roles on New Zealand network television.