Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki.
Rutene holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Musical Theatre from NASDA. Since making his professional theatre debut as an intern at The Court Theatre in 2009, the singer, actor and devisor has toured nationally and internationally for various theatre and corporate entertainment companies
Outside of his busy performance schedule, Rutene also works as a director, producer and vocal and performance coach. Rutene is a proud member of Te Kapa Haka of Whāngara-Mai-Tawhiti.