 How did you get the role of Paul in The Tribe?
1998 – I was 10, attending Papatoetoe East Primary School (Deaf Unit there was funded from KDEC (Kelston Deaf Education Centre)) when Cloud 9 contacted KDEC. I was one of the few that matched Cloud 9’s criteria and auditioned a few days after that. Just basically read the script and that was that.. Few days later I think Cloud 9 or whoever, contacted my mother and she said I got it.
The Tribe was your first TV role, what made you interested in acting?
I wasn’t exposed to the acting world when growing up, if this makes sense. So to fully answer the question, I wasn’t interested in acting until I actually did it. :-)
What did you think of your character Paul?
Paul and I are similar but in a way different. Paul and I speak and lip-read very well; I also am fluent in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL – my 1st language). The difference is that I grew up alone, I do have 2 younger twin brothers but they had each other; I played on playstation by myself, I read books and watched TV in my room – I basically was alone. Whereas Paul had Patsy, they were protective of one another; they did things together, Patsy communicated for Paul, so he could understand what was happening around them.
Paul and Patsy are pretty close siblings; Paul relied on Patsy to communicate to others. Did you feel that Paul relied too much on Patsy?
Not at all, no. Remember, the deadly virus had killed all adults. On-screen, no one knew a deaf child up until Paul was introduced to the Mall Rats. So no one knew how to communicate with a deaf child. To Paul, Patsy was his only way to make people listen or understand.
In The Tribe Paul just disappeared, it is said he ran away. What do you think he got up to after leaving the Mall Rats?
Paul? – I’ll leave this for the producers to answer.
 The Tribe did pretty much what kid shows rarely do; it introduced a main character that was profoundly deaf. Do you feel that mainstream TV under-represents children with 'disabilities'?
I wasn’t a main character. I didn’t see Paul as a main character in the story, compared to Lex, Bray and Amber and so on. Mainstream TV, in my perspective, fictionalise the disabilities, they don’t make it [disability] realistic, as it should be. So the answer to that question is yes.
As you are profoundly deaf, did you find it difficult to fit in with the rest of the cast?
I was 10, and as you said, I am profoundly deaf, so it was difficult to fit in yes; I was the youngest at the time. I could see that some people did attempt to help but… yeah it was bloody hard.
What is your most memorable moment from working on the show?
This question is the hardest of all, given it was 10 years ago, I can’t remember much today, which saddens me. If I watched the series again I would remember every detail, given I was in that setting. The most memorable moment from working on the show would have to be working with the cast, they were awesome..
 Your departure from the series seemed pretty sudden, what led to your decision in leaving the show?
In 1998, when I was acting, I didn’t understand the story; I didn’t understand what was going on. I was lonely, away from home, school, and friends. I basically didn’t know what to do really. It felt like no one knew or understood what I was going through. I wasn’t happy.
I remember being in a room with the producers but I didn’t know what was happening. Same with how acting works, Patsy was on-screen and Paul wasn’t needed in that scene, I didn’t quite understand how it all works until I grew older.
If somebody had sat down, spent time with me, explained the story in a basic way, things would be different. If I had the opportunity again, I would do it again and I would’ve done better, hell yeah!
To sum this all up, I didn’t choose to leave.
 Do you have any regrets on leaving the series?
Yeah, one of them was not being able to sit down with everyone and explain how I was feeling or why I didn’t understand what was going on. Also I didn’t get a chance to explain to the cast why..
I just hope that future producers, film companies and so on do learn from this and understand how deaf children learn or process information. This would lead to a better partnership with the two.
Have you kept any contact with any cast members since being on the show?
No, I wish I could though.
Since starring in The Tribe have you watched the series?
The whole of season one yeah..
 What are you currently up to in this moment of time?
Well, I’m finally attending to university, studying BA in Criminology, have just finished my 1st year. I also have been training for the New Zealand Deaf Games (NZDG) in Palmerston North, which is happening soon (23,24,25,26 of October). This is my 5th time playing for NZDG.
What does the future hold for Zac?
Like many others, we cannot predict the future, but we can only hope. I could write an endless list of things I hope to do but the main thing I hope to do is further my degree with MA and PhD.
Is there a fan/agency address fans can write to you at?
Yeah, I’m on facebook :-) - Send me an email or a message on the wall.. [Please Note: If you are contacting Zac on facebook / adding him to your friends, make sure you let him know in a message that you are a fan of The Tribe / Paul so he knows who you are! - Thanks]
And finally, is there a message for your fans out there?
Thank you for watching the series, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. On a personal note, for those who have a disability, don’t give up. It’s easy to say yet so hard to do, but once you have achieved this, words cannot sum true emotions felt.
Major thanks for your time Zac, cheers mate!
- Shabbs.
 
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