Matahiapo-Waimarie
Maxwell

Actor / Music Theatre
Ethnicity

Māori / Hawaiian

Natural Accent

New Zealand

Accents

Australian, Māori, New Zealand

Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Hine, Hawaiian (Molokaʻi-nui-a-Hina)
Actor • Singer • Dancer

Matahiapo-Waimarie Maxwell is an emerging Māori–Hawaiian performer with a strong foundation in musical theatre, and contemporary performance. A total-immersion graduate of Wharekura o Ngāti Rongomai with University Entrance and a Te Reo Māori Scholarship, she brings bilingual fluency and cultural depth to her work.

She has quickly built an impressive stage portfolio across Rotorua, Tauranga and Waikato, with standout lead roles in Whetūrangihia and Ladies in Black (RMT, 2025). Her credits span major productions such as Hairspray, Phantom of the Opera, In the Heights, The Colour Purple and Sister Act, supported by extensive experience in vocal competitions, hip hop performance, and community music events.

Matahiapo-Waimarie has trained with leading industry tutors including Bree Peters, Kawiti Waetford, Massive Theatre Company, and Miriama McDowell through The Actors Programme, Auckland. She was also highlighted to casting directors internationally during the 2023 Moana casting process.

Committed, versatile and creatively intuitive, Matahiapo-Waimarie is a rising young performer with natural screen presence and strong musical theatre capability.

Matahiapo-Waimarie Maxwell

Artist Resume

Musical Theatre

Year
Role
Production

2025

Lisa (Lead)

Ladies in Black

Rotorua Musical Theatre

2025

Yuppie/Teen Queen/Gaga Girl/Bohemian/Fat Bottom Girl

We Will Rock You

Rotorua Musical Theatre

2025

Te Ua

Wheturangihia - Auckland Tour

Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa

2024

Meg Giry (Understudy), Ensemble

Phantom of the Opera

Rotorua Musical Theatre

2024

Angel, Reporter, Ensemble

Jersey Boys

Rotorua Boys High School

2024

Dancer/Singer

Voices in the Shadows

Wairea Company

2024

Little Inez

Hairspray

Rotorua Musical Theatre

2023

Ensemble

In the Heights

Stage Right Trust, Tauranga

2023

Stella (Lead)

Wheturangihia

Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa

2023

Tina, Ensemble

Sister Act

Rotorua Musical Theatre

2022

Dan, and the Butler

Joseph

Lakes Performing Arts, Rotorua

2022

Church Soloist, Ensemble

The Colour Purple

Rotorua Musical Theatre

Awards

Year
Role
Production

2023

Finalist

Smokefree Rockquest Band "Pumanawa"

Smokefree Rockquest

2023

Winner

Best Band - "Pumawana"

Blues Festival Competition (16-25)

2022

Winner

Best Soloist

Blues Festival Competition (16-25)

Stage

Year
Role
Production

2022

Singer

Taupo Blues Club

Taupo Blues Club

2022

Singer

Rotorua Blues Club

Rotorua Blues Club

Singer

Rotorua Youth Opera Choir

Youth Opera Choir

Various Placings

Lockwood Aria Competition

Bay of Plenty, Lockwood Aria, Rotorua

Various Placings

TeAwamutu & Hamilton Vocal Competitions

Cultural

Year
Role
Production

Kapa Haka

Wharekura o Ngāti Rongomai

Dance

Year
Role
Production

Solo/Crew, Various Placings

Hiphop Dance Competitions

Hiphop Dance Competitions

Hip Hop Crew Member

Rotorua, TeAwamutu, Hamilton, RGHS

Training

Year
Role
Production

2024

Participant

Le Jeu Workshop

The Actors Programme

Dir. Miriama McDowell

2023

Participant

Acting

Bree Peters Workshops, Tauranga

Dir. Bree Peters

2023

Participant

Foundation Workshop, Rotorua

Massive Theatre Company

2023

Participant

Classical Singing

Kawiti Waetford Tuition

Dir. Kawiti Waetford