Tom Knowles (Rongowhakaata) is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, with an extensive acting career under his belt encompassing stage shows, television and advertising. Some of his appearances include Shrek: The Musical (in which he starred as the titular ogre), the TV series The Brokenwood Mysteries, and as part of the Modern Māori Quartet.

As a musician, Tom has opened for artists such as Sons of Zion, The Black Seeds and Drax Project. He's played with various groups and under various guises at numerous Kiwi festivals (Garden Magic, Cubadupa, Matariki Ahi Kā, Big Gay Out and New Year’s Eve on the Picton Foreshore). He's also performed internationally at some of the world's most exciting festivals and venues, including the Darwin Arts Festival, San Diego International Fringe Festival and London's Covent Garden (as part of an orchestra).

On top of that, he writes his own stage shows. His original comic rock opera, Allergic to Love: Curse of the 80s, has toured both Aotearoa and Mexico. In 2021 he completed another musical entitled Atarangi: Morning Sky and in 2023 released an album featuring 20 songs from the show.

2025 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for Tom. He's planning to premier two more of his own musicals, release new music under alias Tommy Knowledge, and serve as sound designer for Māori drag supergroup, The Tiwhas. In March he picked up the Most Innovative Work award at the NZ Fringe Festival for his a new solo show, ROADKILL: The Uber-cool Musical, which is performed inside a van to only nine people a time!

tomknowlesmusic@gmail.com