Pio Terei

Early career

Early in his working life he sold light commercial trucks for 14 years. He came to notice in 1995 when he headlined his own TV3 show Pete and Pio with fellow comedian Peter Rowley. After the success of Pete and Pio, Terei led his own show called Pio!, featuring similar skits to his previous programme. It ran from 1997 to 1999 and it was during this period that he hosted the Coca Cola Christmas in the Park in front of thousands of people. When Pio! was cancelled in 1999, Terei moved to the opposition TVNZ network.

In 2000, Terei led a TVNZ programme entitled The Life and Times of Te Tutu, a comedy following the daily life of an 1800s Māori chief. Under his own Pipi Productions company, The Life and Times of Te Tutu played weekly until cancelled in 2001, when Terei ceased work under Pipi Productions.

Terei was not a headline act or primetime actor in the early years of the new century. Though his name was well known in New Zealand (especially in the Māori community), it seemed his work was never broadcast on TVNZ.

Comeback

His comeback was with the TV ONE series Intrepid Journeys - a travel show where each week a New Zealand celebrity would travel to a different destination. Terei, who hosted Intrepid Journeys: India, was praised for his comical yet informative segment which followed him across India, in a 90-minute special.

After that appearance, Terei wrote pieces for his new production company 4 Winds Studios which were contributed to the New Zealand dramas Mataku and Spin Doctors. In 2003 he was granted his own show again, entitled Big Saturday Night In. It featured New Zealand musicians from current and past years performing special acts - sometimes accompanied by Terei who is a talented musician.

Terei and his 4 Winds Studios company contribute work to the Māori Television channel. He hosts his own fishing show on the channel and is spokesperson for the New Zealand Coastguard. He is on staff as a presenter and spokesperson for The Parenting Place.. Since 2003 he has presented "No Sweat Parenting / Manaaki Whānau" shows around the country, and launched a new touring program called "The Parenting Show with Pio" in 2011. He has helped write and present two, thirteen part series of parenting programmes on Māori TV called "No Sweat Parenting / Manaaki Whānau" 2009 and 2010. He has also been the advertising face of the Freeview digital television platform since 2012.

Personal life

Terei's first name, Pio, is Italian. He is Ngāpuhi and Te Rarawa. Terei resides with his wife and three children in Auckland, New Zealand. The family currently stars in a New Zealand travel show entitled Are We There Yet? on TV ONE.

In his spare time, Terei is a known fishing enthusiast and musician. He frequently hosts corporate functions around New Zealand and is extremely popular as emcee. In interviews he has mentioned having a significant interest in New Zealand parenting values. He also has an interest in vintage cars and currently owns a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air. He is a member (representing parents) on the Board of Trustees of St Peter's College, Auckland.

In 1997 he was presented the Rielly Comedy Award by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand.

Terei was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2012 New Year Honours, for services to entertainment.