Oscar Kightley is an entertaining and dynamic MC, award-winning writer, director, actor and TV presenter. Oscar is most well-known for his work on the hit series bro’Town, the highly successful film Sione’s Wedding and being a member of the comedy group The Naked Samoans.
Background
Oscar Kightley was born in Samoa and immigrated to New Zealand with his mother when he was four years old. Oscar first recognised his ability to make people laugh when he was a school boy, and at Rutherford High he developed his skills in humour and English (but not maths!) further. Following a cadetship at The Auckland Star, Oscar moved into radio and television, starting behind the scenes and then moving into a presenting role with Life in The Fridge based in Christchurch.
Awards
Oscar won the Bruce Mason playwrights award in 1998 and has worked as a performer and writer for a number of television shows including Skitz, Telly Laughs, The Panel, Sportzah and TV3's rugby coverage. His plays include A Frigate Bird Sings (co-written with fellow Naked Samoan, Dave Fane) Dawn Raids, Island Girls, and Niu Sila (co-written with Dave Armstrong).
By 2006 he was a Laureate Award winner and a Qantas award winning journalist. Oscar also co-founded Pacific Underground and the Island Players theatre company, which has produced critically acclaimed work. The same year, Oscar co-wrote and took a lead role in the highly successful movie Sione's Wedding which was released in New Zealand and Australia.
Oscar was appointed to the council of Creative New Zealand in 2007. In 2008, Oscar was awarded a Sir Peter Blake Trust Emerging Leader Award and in 2009, he received The New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to television and theatre.
Film and Television: 2012 saw the highly anticipated sequel to Sione's Wedding, Sione's 2, which he both co-wrote and starred in. In 2013, Oscar was seen on the small screen in Harry starring alongside Hollywood heavyweight, Sam Neill.
Oscar is one of the Naked Samoans, who've taken their anarchic brand of comedy around the country and even to Scotland. With the Naked Samoans and Firehorse Films, he completed the fifth series of bro’Town in 2009, which he co-wrote with David Fane, Mario Gaoa and Shimpal Lelisi and is well-known for his voice over character, Vale. In 2018 The Naked Samoans reunited to perform a new show The Naked Samoans Do Magic as part of Auckland Arts Festival.
With his vast experience in the media and entertainment industry it seemed like a natural progression for Oscar to move into directing. Oscar launched his first short film Tom's Dairy as well as directing the sequel to the successful Super City 2 in 2013. That year he co-wrote and played the lead in the gritty drama Harry, which received rave reviews in New Zealand and in the United States.
In 2016 you will have seen Oscar on the silver screen in the award winning Hunt for the Wilderpeople playing the none-to-bright cop ‘Andy’ and you will have heard Oscar’s distinctive voice in the Disney hit Moana where Oscar voiced the part of Fisherman.
Aside from his busy filming schedule, Oscar still finds time for charities and organisations close to his heart with various involvement with World Vision and Water Safety NZ.
He was awesome! Totally nailed the brief - was thoughtful, really funny and bought the best out of the other speakers. ... keep reading Auckland Council
Oscar was a delight to work with. He was friendly and professional. He delivered exactly what we were after and was fantastic when we had to make last minute changes.
