Summer Bay’s only Kiwi whānau have stayed true to their aim of introducing Māori culture to Australia, but it hasn’t always been plain sailing.
“There was a lot of racism when we initially came on to the show which affected us a lot and we had to learn to just switch off,” says actor Rob Kipa-Williams. “I think it was a shock to Australia, or some Australians, to see Māori culture on screen.”
In 2019, the former 800 Words performer debuted on Home and Away as Ari Parata, former criminal seeking redemption and a better life for his family.
Soon after, he was joined by his brother Tane (Ethan Browne), sister-in-law Gemma (Bree Peters), and nephew Nikau (Kawakawa Fox-Reo). After a few months, Peters left, but the other three had established themselves in the bay.
The actor made his first appearance in the soap in the 2019 season finale, with the rest of the Parata family due to make their official debut as Summer Bay’s newest residents this year.
Summer Bay newbie Rob Kipa-Williams is launched into the action when his character Ari Parata arrives in the middle of an armed raid on the hospital!
they’ve only been in the Bay for a few months, it’s already clear that there is no love lost between brothers Ari (Rob Kipa-Williams) and Tane (Ethan Browne).
At one point while filming the intense scene, Rob is seen throwing a punch.
the Paratas’ history became known, they set down roots in Summer Bay when Tane came to town and bought them a house to live in, much to Ari’s initial frustration.
‘We just want a fresh start’. However, Dean (Patrick O’Connor) and Ziggy (Sophie Dillman) are walking along the beach when Dean spots Ari. Ziggy says ‘Do you know him?’, to which Dean says ‘Yeah. Oi! Ari!’
Rob Kipa-Williams, led an emotional haka alongside Tane (Ethan Browne) and their nephew Nikau (Kawakawa Fox-Reo) on the beach to mark the death of their brother and father Mikaere one year ago.
“He’s relaxed and easy and she finds him attractive.”
Ari and Tane agreed on doing a job for Paul and Leon to repay the debt, but they went back on their word when they revealed they’d secretly photographed Ari and Tane moving stolen goods, using it to try and blackmail them into committing an armed robbery at Reefton Lakes. It was only an intervention from Heath Braxton (Dan Ewing) and the River Boys which saw Paul and Leon back off… for a while.
Ari (Rob Kipa-Williams) is walking along the street when Paul deliberately knocks him over in a violent hit and run.
After a shocking hit and run, Ari’s survival hangs in the balance.
Mac appreciates Ari’s warm support, but is struck by how short-lived it is when she later sees him leave the hospital with Mia.
”I think she believes they would have stayed together. He was the great love of her life,” Anna explains of her character’s past romance with Ari
the couple were destined for more heartbreak when Mia lost the baby following a car crash two months later.
Late last year the pair had never been happier. The long-lost lovers reunited after 20 years and got engaged.
Ari comes up with a bold plan that could save the woman he loves.
Ari is likely facing life in prison after falsely confessing to murder and his shock cancer diagnosis means it may be too late for their fairytale ending.
Ari was suffering from a very rare cancer named pseudomyxoma peritonei, which had started in his appendix and spread to his entire abdominal cavity.
Ari’s final episode saw Mia grant him his dying wish of marrying her,
They share their first kiss as a married couple, and the room is all smiling as they celebrate the marriage of Mr and Mrs Parata.
Just seconds after they were pronounced husband and wife, the heartbreaking moment came.
Ari tried to rip the oxygen mask off and jump out of bed. He made an impassioned plea to spend his dying moments at the beach, telling Logan, “I don’t want to die like this.”
Logan was unable to grant him this final wish, and instead he spent his last moments lying in the hospital bed, quietly singing a Maori song, before passing away peacefully surrounded by those closest to him.
- Ari Parata leaves Home and Away as final scenes air
- Home and Away: In a heart wrenching week on Home and Away Ari and Mia race against the clock to get married
- Home and Away: Ari collapses in the middle of his wedding to Mia and Karen continues to stir up drama in Dean’s life
- Home and Away’s Ari Parata to be rushed to hospital in shock new story
