The Paratas have officially landed in the Bay, and their first few weeks are rocky as they struggle to get on their feet. Ari, played by Rob Kipa-Williams, is the first to be introduced to viewers, as he was involved in the hospital siege and comforted Marilyn.
Ari and his nephew Nikau, played by Kawakawa Fox-Reo, are constantly getting into fights, making it clear there is unresolved business between them. Rob tells Metro.co.uk: ‘There is a lot of tension between Ari and Nikau. Nikau blames Ari for what happened in the past, and can’t seem to let it go. Ari feels responsible, and an obligation to look after them both.’
As the family tries to get settled, it’s clear they have a secret they don’t want uncovered. What are they scared of? Rob reveals: ‘The Paratas have a fear of not being accepted. They were run out of their previous town, so they worry it will happen again when people discover what happened.’
One person who is determined to find out that secret is John, who becomes increasingly irritated that Marilyn is willing to defend Ari all the time. ‘John REALLY dislikes Ari, even to this day!’ Rob says.
‘Marilyn finds comfort in him, and they shared something [during the siege] which John can never experience. He feels left out, and takes it upon himself to find out what’s going on with them. Who is Ari, and why is Marilyn so determined to befriend him?’
John’s hatred of Ari won’t be fading any time soon. ‘While Marilyn will defend Ari and doesn’t care about his past, John still doesn’t like him 7 or 8 months later,’ Rob teased. How will Marilyn and Ari’s friendship progress, and what gets John so angry for months to come?
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