The actor, who was born in California and grew up in Hawaii, says the link between his own whakapapa and New Zealand childhood connections and the film is profound.
Dwayne’s father, Rocky Johnson, was a WWE Hall of Famer, and his career brought him to train and compete in New Zealand in the late 1970s, before going on to tour the world.
Maivia, also a professional wrestler, was a dominant presence in Johnson’s young life, especially while he attended Richmond Road Primary School in Auckland for just over a year.
During that time, Johnson took up rugby, an experience he says saw him get his “ass kicked”.
But it’s not the sport, or the injuries, that left that lasting impression.
“The values that I learned as a kid back then – it was real family,” he says.
“I grew up an only child, but for the first time I was indoctrinated like, ‘oh, this is a family.’ Cousins, respect, Sundays, even the presentation of meals – everything was ceremonial. I’ll never forget that.”
High Chief Peter Maivia and Dwayne Johnson as Maui. Photos / Getty Images and Disney
Those memories came flooding back when Johnson saw himself transformed into Maui for the live-action film – covered in traditionally inspired tattoos and with the long locks that were eerily familiar.
“When I first saw myself in the mirror, I was looking at my grandfather,” he says of Maivia, who died when Johnson was 10.
“So every day was a special day.”
But Johnson is quick to note that his personal journey with the character is only one part of a much bigger picture – one that spans the diversity of Polynesian cultures, including Māori, Samoan, Tongan and Fijian traditions.
“What’s bigger than my personal experience is our overall culture,” he says.
“That’s all of us up there on that big screen, and that is everything to me.”
Dwayne’s eldest daughter, Simone Alexandra Johnson, stands alongside him, his wife Lauren Hashian, mother Ata Johnson and father Rocky Johnson. Photo / Getty Images
It is a sentiment reflected strongly in the casting of the film, which features a significant line-up of New Zealand and Pacific talent alongside Johnson. Among them are Whina actor Rena Owen, Ngāti Hine, Shortland St alum Frankie Adams and Fast & Furious’ John Tui. Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement also reprises his role as gold-loving crab Tamatoa (who, naturally, was still animated).
“They are all amazing actors – so formidable on their own,” Johnson says with pride of the Kiwi cohort.
“They’ve had amazing careers, but what Moana does, and what I love, is it puts them on the biggest platform in the world.”
For Johnson, authenticity needed to remain at the forefront of the film, and he credits the Disney team for their effort to ensure the story honoured its origins. He says he wouldn’t have entertained being part of it if they hadn’t.
“They were always asking, ‘What do we need to do to make sure that we’re authentic, respectful, and protective of the culture?’”
John Tui as Chief Tui and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. Photo / Disney
At the heart of that authenticity, he says, is Owen and her portrayal of Gramma Tala – a character who serves as the emotional anchor of the story.
Owen is well known for her powerful on-screen presence; she famously played Beth Heke in Once Were Warriors, and brings a depth of lived experience that Johnson says elevates the role beyond its animated roots.
“When it’s Rena – a real woman, flesh and blood, who has experienced loss and life – telling Moana, ‘It’s my time, but it’s also your time,’ it’s a whole other level,” he says. “It’s very emotional.”
Johnson also lights up when describing Owen off-screen, particularly her unmistakable Kiwi accent and the warmth she brings to the set.
“She’s just amazing,” he says. “I love seeing her because when we hug, it’s a real hug, man.”
Johnson says these actors are part of an important wave of Pacific Islanders and Māori who were rarely given opportunities of this scale in major Hollywood productions, and are now set to gain global recognition.
That includes Moana herself, played by Australian-born Samoan actor Catherine Laga‘aia, who brought her own Aotearoa connection (and New Zealand passport) to set.
The 19-year-old is the daughter of New Zealand-born actor Jay Laga‘aia, who starred as Captain Typho in the Star Wars franchise and David Silesi in Street Legal.
Jay (left), Catherine, Sandie, and Tana Laga’aia. Photo / Getty Images
For Johnson, those family connections and the passing of knowledge are crucial not only to the story of Moana, but also to his own life.
Johnson is eager for his three daughters, two of whom feature in the film, to experience the places that shaped him, including New Zealand.
“I can’t wait to come back,” he says. “My mum’s been back a few times, and I would love to take my girls there as well. I need to take them to Samoa, and I need to take them back to New Zealand.”
Johnson hopes that just like Maui, he too will have his own lasting legacy on the Pacific – one of reconnection to identity, culture and place – stretching all the way from Grey Lynn to Hollywood.