Rutene is of Ngāti Porou and Ngaruahine descent. Since graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Musical, the singer, actor and entertainer has toured nationally and internationally for various theatre and corporate entertainment companies.

He has appeared in such musicals as: Anything Goes, The Buddy Holly Musical, Grease, Avenue Q, Lacage Aux Folle, Oklahoma, Chicago, Billy Elliot (New Zealand premiere) and Jersey Boys (Australian Tour) to name a few.

In 2020 Rutene developed his own play in our Kōanga Festival, Staunchies.

The award-winning cabaret performer has been described by New Zealand Herald as “a stalwart on the Auckland cabaret scene” and has toured his works both nationally and internationally to great acclaim.

Outside of his busy performance schedule, Rutene also works as a creative producer, television director and performance coach.

Rutene is a proud kaihaka of Te Kapa Haka of Whāngara-Mai-Tawhiti, a member of the Modern Māori Quartet and a dedicated union member of the New Zealand Actors Equity.