Treasure Island’s Te Kohe ‘MEET MY UNICORN BABY'

The reality star and Brokenwood Mysteries actor introduces the newest and most chilled-out member of his whānau

-  Kelly Bertrand

Giving birth during one of Auckland's most intense thunderstorms could be interpreted as an ominous sign for some new parents.

But snoozing gently as chaos reigns around him during Woman's Day's photoshoot, little Luca is the picture of chill - and his proud dad, former Shortland Street and Vegas actor Te Kohe Tuhaka, says his wee boy is always relaxed, despite the dramatic circumstances of his delivery in March.

"Honestly, he's a unicorn baby," marvels Te Kohe, 40.

"I'm sure most parents say that about their babies, but he's been amazing. He's a very calming presence, despite all the thunder, lightning and flash floods.

The trip to the hospital was interesting! "But it was impressive to see all the lightning - from a Māori perspective, I saw it as a sign, so I put it in his name. His middle name is Te Uira, which means 'the lightning! It's a good omen.

 

"In situations like storms, kids tell you who they are, what their temperament is like and a little of who they might be. So even though there was chaos happening all around him, you've got this little cool, calm, chill guy - I was like, 'Woah! This guy has nerves of steel." Little Luca joins Te Kohe and wife Larissa's son Remy, four, as well as Te Kohe's eldest son from a previous relationship, 15-year-old Phoenix.

"And that's it - no more, eh?!" he laughs at Larissa, 37, who's shaking her head frantically. "She's the odd one out in this family - she's the only female. I liked the idea of going for a rugby team, but that was quickly shut down!" It's a lot of organised chaos with so many boys, especially when Phoenix visits from his home in Gisborne. But while they're all full-on, all three of his boys are completely different when it comes to their personalities, shares