From avant-garde theatre to blockbuster film — a bold presence in Aotearoa storytelling.
Ria Paki is a dynamic Māori performer whose work spans stage, screen, and television. A graduate of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi with a Bachelor in Māori Performing Arts, she has become a distinctive presence in Aotearoa’s (New Zealand's) creative landscape.
On screen, Ria is recognised for her performances in acclaimed features Muru, Whina, The Dead Lands, and Ka Whawhai Tonu - In the Fire of War, as well as in television dramas Kairākau and The Dead Lands. Her career began as a presenter for youth and cultural programmes, including Fresh TV, Matatini, and Tikitiki, showcasing her natural charisma and ability to connect with audiences.
Ria’s stage career has been closely linked with the internationally renowned theatre company MAU under Lemi Ponifasio, with whom she has toured extensively in works such as Stones in Her Mouth, Birds With Skymirrors, Apocalypses, and Time Between Roses & Ashes. Her background as a dancer further enriches her versatility as a performer.
Grounded in her whakapapa (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Tūhoe, Waikato) and fluent in Te Reo Māori and English, Ria brings authenticity, strength, and creative vision to every project she undertakes.
