HEMI | NEPIA TAKUIRA-MITA

Te Arawa, Hāmoa

Nepia is no stranger to the performance arts, this Rotorua local can be found at Māori performing villages in his hometown. His passion for kapa haka encouraged him to take a leap into the world of acting and we are glad he did. His talents have been recognised at the 2022 and 2024 NZ Web Fest awards as a finalist for ‘Best Actor’. Impressing audiences on stage, and upsetting audiences on screen, we hate to love his Ahikāroa character Hemi.

GEO | TURIA SCHMIDT PEKE

Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Hauā, Hāmoa

Turia opitimises the Ahikāroa kaupapa, a series that showcases the stories of kura kaupapa raised urban rangatahi. When asked ‘Where she learnt te reo Māori?’ Turia phrased a more suitable response, ‘Ko te pātai e tika ana, I ako ahau i taku reo Pākehā i hea? Ko te reo Māori kē taku reo tuatahi.” A graduate of Waikato University’s Bachelors of Communications and Bachelor of Arts studies, Turia has an extensive background in broadcast including an actress on Shortland Street. A powerful force on screen, Turia has been recognised again for her mahi with her second win for ‘Best Actor’ at the 2024 NZ Web Fest Awards which she also won in 2021! Furthermore, Turia currently has a Best Actress nomination from the British Web Awards 2024. l want a friend like Geo!

KID | ANIWA WHAIAPU KOLOAMATANGI

Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, waihoki nō Waikato, Tainui

Before you jump to a guess that Aniwa is short for Aniwaniwa, take a lesson from Aniwa’s Nan, she knows Aniwa to be the name for the halo above an angel’s head, and we know Aniwa to embody this energy no less! Straight out of kura kaupapa and on to our screens Aniwa plays our beloved Kid. He’s gone on to be a presenter for NZ factual show, Queer and Here. A naturally gifted performer, Aniwa brought Kid to life and is a fan fave.

HAKI | WHITI TUMAI

Ngai Tūhoe, Tainui, Ngati awa me Ngati Tūwharetoa

Paetawhiti, meaning to ‘Arise like the Sun and shine out’ is humble about his classification of his title as an ‘actor’. A student of the craft, Whiti accredits his desire to act as being one that allows him to experience challenging scenarios, that in turn develop him as a person. Originally studying as an electrical engineer Whiti found himself auditioning for Ahikāroa on S2 and now following through into S6 we can’t wait to see what trouble he is in now.

TE URURANGI | AKINEHI MUNROE

Te Aupōuri

You might recognise Aki from the theatre stage! Aki began her career reprising the role of ‘Annie’, and prior to Ahikāroa was working on a children’s theatre show ‘Tu Meke Tūi’. Aki has always been creative, active, and a touch dramatic, so pursuing acting as a career was a natural path for her. A naturally gifted actress, she can also be seen on other dramas like Vegas and Kura. Aki brings Te Ururangi to life on screen and we’re all here for it.

BOOMS | JEWELS KING

Ngāti Ruanui, Ngaati Mahanga Hourua, Te Rarawa

Jewels studied a prep course at Unitec institute of technology in 2019 to gain acting experience before auditioning for South Seas Film School in 2020. She graduated from South Seas in 2021 and started working. Ahikāroa is her first acting job. Jewels strives to act on the quote "I am my ancestors dream" and represent Māori globally in the film industry.

KUINI | AWA PUNA

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Tūhoe, Ngāpuhi

Awa Puna is an actor/filmmaker who has her eye on the pulse of work that speaks from the heart. Awa has dedicated much of her career to projects that acknowledge and uplift Māori and takatāpui/LGBTQ+ communities and stories. She graduated her final year of Toi Whakaari in 2020. As well as her mahi on Ahikāroa, Awa has featured in local series ‘The Boy, The Queen, And very thing In Between’, also starred alongside Rena Owen and James Rolleston in ‘Whina’, a role in the TV series ‘Vegas’ and a supporting role, Gia, in 'Shortland Street'. Awa was a finalist for a NZTV Award for her performance in Season 4 of Ahikāroa. Awa delivers an outstanding performance as Kuini, one of the show's most beloved characters.

MARIANA | TE AROHANUI KOREWHA

Te Rarawa, Ngati Hine, Ngapuhi

Te Arohanui has a growing presence in both television and theatre. Her theatre credits include the lead role of Toia in the 2021 production Racist Anonymous and key performances in Te Mahi a Rahi, where she played the roles of Karu and Utumai. Te Arohanui's work spans a range of compelling roles, showcasing her talent and dedication to representing Māori stories on stage and screen. This season Te Arohanui joined Ahikāroa as Mariana, giving Geo a run for her money.

ARIKI | LIONEL WELLINGTON

Ngāpuhi

Lionel is known for his role as Leroy on the primetime drama Shortland Street. He has also been a core cast member in the television series Head High, playing the role of Tai. His recent work includes appearances in End of the Valley and the lead role of Taratu in Kairakau 3. Lionel’s diverse range of roles showcases his talent across television, making him a dynamic presence in the New Zealand entertainment industry. Lionel plays Ariki who finds himself in a tricky situation between Mariana and Geo.

ATA | VALERIA MAZEDONA

Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe

Valeria was born in Mexico, spending the first three years of her life immersed in this side of her heritage before coming back to settle in Te-Whanganui-A-Tara, Aotearoa. A graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, Valeria has been fortunate to work on projects led by pioneering Māori storytellers. She recently portrayed Aria in The River, the first Māori-scripted drama podcast, and appears in Bouncers, a web series picked up by Comedy Central. Valeria is committed to expanding the diversity and inclusivity of storytelling for Māori, takatāpui and communities of colour living within Aotearoa. Valeria joins the cast as Ata, Kuini’s sister, a savvy hustler who proceeds to stir things up within the crew!

AHIKĀROA PLAYERS