Manuka Luiten-Apirana (Ngāti Hikairo) is an actor, writer, artist and producer. She is an award-winning playwright and the recipient of the 2021 Creative NZ 'Ngā Manu Pīrere Award' for her work as a creative. A graduate of South Seas Film School and The Actors' Program, Manuka is an advocate for Māori storytelling and constantly looks for ways to develop her craft and deepen her connection to other artists. She has a strong focus on helping upskill emerging artists and enjoys the privilege to upskill alongside established industry leaders. You can find her music on Spotify.
Manuka Luiten-Apirana
Actor / Commercial / Voice
Age Range
20—29
Height
170cm
Eye Colour
Brown
Hair Colour
Brown
Ethnicity
Māori / New Zealander
Based In
Auckland, New Zealand
Voicereel2024
Artist Resume
Awards
Year
Role
Production
2021
Recipient
Ngā Manu Pīrere - In recognition of achievement by a young emerging Māori artist
Creative NZ
Short Film
Year
Role
Production
2020
Aroha
Daughter of God
Dir. Maza White
2019
Loren
Secret Santa
Dir. Angela Bloomfield / Kate McDermott
2017
Victim
The Claw
H2Ow
Dir. Hweiling Ow
2016
Forgotten
Forgotten
Cling Film
Dir. Liam Martin
2016
Lucy
Fract
Dir. Georgina Bloomfield
2015
Ruby
Unspoken
South Seas
Dir. Steff Mitchell
Television
Year
Role
Production
2024
Ella Haumia
Shortland Street
South Pacific Pictures
Dir. Series 33/2024
2023
Mia
Nga Reta
Te Pou Theatre
Dir. Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana
2022
Marama
Educators 3
South Pacific Pictures Production Limited
2021
Shardae
Head High 2
South Pacific Pictures
Dir. Katie Wolfe
2020
Hannah
Ahikāroa
Kura Productions
Dir. Miriama McDowell
2020
Shardae
Head High
South Pacific Pictures
Dir. Tim Worrall
Theatre
Year
Role
Production
2024
Ensemble
Kopu
Te Pou Theatre / Te Rehia Theatre
Dir. Amber Curreen
2021
Ti Ara
Te Mahi a Rahi - Kids Show
Te Pou Theatre
Dir. Tainui Tukiwaho
2019
Pargeia
Welcome to Thebes
Dir. Sara Brodie
Musical Theatre
Year
Role
Production
2017
Ensemble
Expect the Unexpected
Auckland Music Theatre
Dir. Emma Bishop
Commercial
Year
Role
Production
2021
Presenter
Vocational Education - The Choice
Tertiary Education Commission
2020
Presenter
Vocational Education - The Choice
Tertiary Education Commission
Voice Over
Year
Role
Production
2021
Lead VO
Vocational Education - The Choice
Tertiary Education Commission
2020
Lead VO
Vocational Education - The Choice
Tertiary Education Commission
2019
Narrator
A Year In Your Sustainable Garden - Audio Book
Green Footprint
Dir. Clare Jackson
Documentary
Year
Role
Production
2017
Toni (reenactment)
Lost and Found
Warner Brothers
Dir. Jocelyn Bunch
2016
Gina (re-enactment)
Lost and Found
Warner Brothers
Dir. Jocelyn Bunch
Training
Year
Role
Production
2022
Actor
Master Class Series - You and the Camera
The RBA Studio
Dir. with Ian Mune & Elena Stejko
2019
Student
Acting - 1 yr intensive full time
The Actors Program
Dir. Michelle Hine - Artistic Director