GOAL: "I thought I might tiny and fix up Australia’s national anthem’

Amy Egan talks to Water Rats’Jay Laga'aia

I understand you're being made an Australian Citizen on Australia Day this year?

Yes, I sure am, with my six-year-old son Matthew. The suggestion came to me in late October, the Australia Day Council rang me out of the blue and said have you ever thought of becoming an Australian citizen and my first thought was "Why? Are you planning on kicking me out of the country?" But when I calmed down, the idea of becoming a citizen appealed for a lot of reasons, one of which was I thought I might get the chance to try and fix up Australia’s national anthem, which isn’t exactly the most melodic song.

But seriously, It had never occurred to me before.

Well, at first it was that whole thing of well, I don’t want to give up my identity as a Kiwi. And being an avid supporter of the All Blacks, I was worried I’d never be able to step on the shores of New Zealand again. But then I discussed it with the family and looked at the pros and cons and I realised I didn’t have to give up anything. I see it as a way to make a public statement to say, "Look, I’m committed to staying in this country and working on my craft".

I can’t deny the fact that not only the very Australian program I’m working on, but also the country Itself, has welcomed me with very open arms. It’s allowed me to work whatever magic I have here and to become successful What I love about Australia is that it’s so diverse, so there are just so many opportunities. And I like the idea of being part of a society where if you’re good enough, you’ll succeed. You may bang your head against the wall, but we’ll give you the opportunity and it’s up to you to make the best of It. When I came here for Water Rats I felt like I was told "here’s your opportunity, Sydney Harbour’s yourplaylng field, go play!"

Well, I’ve been back and forth a few times now. My first time was when I came to work at the Brisbane Expo in ‘88 but I traveled here in ‘94 and ‘95 and loved It and then I went back and I was contacted and asked if I wanted to a read for a part in WaterRats and I got it. There were not so many Polynesian actors and the idea of having a Polynesian character instead of an Italian or a Greek, which has been done so much before, was a great stroke of luck for me. And since the show became so popular I’ve been invited to talk at so many different corporate areas and schools and places I’d never have been able to get to. People ring you up for the darndest things, and that’s what I love about it here. Colour has nothing to do with it, ability has everything to do with it. They don’t care if you’re a martian and you’re purple, they just want to know if you can run this crèche with 200 kids. And Ijust say, "Sure, give me some rustles and a rattle and I’ll be there".

Definitely, first of all I’m tickled pink and humbled that I’m asked to do these things. Last Australia Day I was an ambassador and emceed for the whole thing at Canterbury Racecourse. It was great and I was just so thankful to be asked, and anyway, what can you say to the Lord Mayor of Sydney? "Well, I’d really like to, Frankie, but I’m planning on playing basketball with some of the boys." No way! I also ran one of the stalls at the Mardi Gras and it was great. And all these different things are a great challenge and you also feel you’re giving back to your community and that’s sou~ething I’ve always tried to do. I grew up in South Auckland which is where they filmed Once Were Warriors and the opportunity of being able to make something of your life is almost zilch, but you’ve got to give yourself a chance, you’ve got to allow yourself to dream. So,

for me, all those thing are an opportunity to do something new and to do it well.

I was born in New Zealand in South Auckland, one of eight brothers and sisters. I’m the fifth oldest and fourth youngest and they all work in diverse backgrounds from a Methodist minister to a prison warden, a psychiatric nurse. And my mother’s happy I’m a policeman at the moment. I’ve actually just come back from New Zealand and that’s where I applied for my Australian citizenship. So it’s all been approved and I’m going to be included in the ceremony on Australia Day.

So how do you think you’ll feel on Australia Day? What does it actually mean to you?

The whole thing feels like going to one of your favourite concerts and being given an access-all-areas pass. It’s great to know you’re allowed everywhere and no one can question your right to be there.

I suppose for me it just means that when I’m in Australia, I’m actually coming home now. It’s not too many people who’ve found somewhere hey’re very comfortable and they’ve got a circle of friends they can rely on, and we’ve got that here. And I suppose in an actor’s life that feeling of security is all you can ask for.

But I’m not sure what It’ll be like on the day.! was thinking yesterday, I hope I don’t get a bit emotional I hope it’s not like, "Jay, would you like to say something?" and I’ll be like "Ummm, could I have a tissue please?"

Australia has a very diverse population, is that something that also appealed to you?

Yes, I mean over here, the diversity extends into everything. It’s not only visual, it’s taste, it’s feel, it’s culture.! love listening to the different accents. You become appreciative of so many things, even things like Asian food, I mean when I came here my idea of spice was salt.

Now, you have a Samoan background? Is that right?

Yes, and it’s still very much at the forefront of our lives. I’m bilingual so I’m very aware that when I’m talking to my son,! talk to him not only in English but also in Samoan. So I always reinforce my instructions in Samoan.

So you don’t feel you’re giving up that background in any way?

No,! think more than anything else you feel you’re giving it another platform from which to wave. I mean Australia, especially NSW, is such a huge international gateway now. With the Olympics coming on that’s even more true. I get people saying don’t you want to go to America or England or wherever to work and I say "America’s coming here".

I read a story recently saying Polynesian culture is getting quite big in Australia, is that right?

Yeah, it really is,I mean in the sporting teams and all through the country you see Samoans everywhere. There’s a running joke that if all the Samoans went back to Samoa, the island would sink. There are a lot of high-profile Polynesians around the world.

Yes, my parents were born in Samoa and my father passed away in ‘83. But my mother’s still in New Zealand and she’s still the matriarch. She still barks out all the orders. It’s great to have her there, because she always puts you in your place and also because it’s another reason to keep going back to visit.

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