Profile
Ethnicity
Dutch, Māori
Iwi
Ngati Kahungunu
Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Height
170 cm
Age Range
40–46
Website
Career Highlights
Throughout her career Maria has built up a seriously impressive television and film CV. She made her feature debut in James Cameron’s 2008 film "Avatar", and went on to appear in it’s sequel. She later landed a supporting role in Lee Tamihori’s feature film "Mahana", as well as female-lead in telefeature "Rage" and shortfilm "Tits on a Bull", which saw her named as Best Actress at the Wairoa Film Festival. Maria acted as supporting-lead opposite 'Rebecca Gibney' in "Wanted 2." Other screen credits include feature film "Mt Zion", television series "Top of the Lake", and Richard Toa’s "The Dead Lands" - both the film and the television series. More recently, Maria has appeared in Australian television series "Hardball" and web series "Sextortion."
Feature Film.
| 2024 | Went Up The Hill | Ava (Supporting) | Dir. Samuel Van Grinsven |
| 2022 | Kāinga | Eva (Supporting) | Dir. Nahyeon Lee |
| 2019 | Avatar 2 | Piwaiwakawaka (Guest) | 880 Productions Dir. James Cameron |
| 2018 | Enemy Within | Kanahele "Ella" | Dir. Gabriel Robertson |
| 2017 | Waru | Kiritapu | Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Dir. Various |
| 2015 | Mahana | Huria Mahana (Supporting ) | Jump Film and TV Dir. Lee Tamahori |
| 2015 | Poi E | Singer/Actor | Dir. Arapa Kahi |
| 2014 | The Umbrella Man | Actor | Dir. The Umbrella Man |
| 2013 | The Dead Lands | Eldest Wife | GFC Dir. Toa Fraser |
| 2012 | Mt Zion | Manawa | Small Axe Films Dir. Tearapa Kahi |
| 2011 | Nga Reo Hou - When The Sun and Moon Colide | Travis | Eyeworks Dir. Rachael House |
| 2011 | Rage | Carol (Lead) | Tom Scott Productions Dir. Danny Mulheron |
| 2009 | After the Waterfall | Enid | Dir. Simone Horrocks |
| 2008 | Avatar | Military Officer (Guest) | 880 Productions Dir. James Cameron |
Tele Film.
| 2018 | In Dark Places | Lawyer | The 1000 Company Dir. Michael Bennett |
Short Film.
| 2015 | Interloafer | Mana Maria (Lead) | Dir. Aidee Walker |
| 2014 | Tits on a Bull | Mel | Dir. Tim Worral |
| 2013 | UFO | Jo/Mum | Little Wolf Dir. Gregory King |
| 2009 | Choice Night | Receptionist | Dir. Krafhaus |
| 2009 | Mis - Drop | (Lead) | Dir. Ferrand Peek |
Television.
| 2025 | The Brokenwood Mysteries - Season 11 | Cynthia (Guest) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2023 | Sweet Tooth - Season 3 | Blair (Guest) | Netflix/WBTV Dir. Jim Mickle |
| 2023 | The Brokenwood Mysteries - Season 10 | Cynthia (Episodic Lead) | South Pacific Production Dir. Various |
| 2020 | The Dead Lands | Hine | Dir. Toa Fraser |
| 2020 | William Wairua and the 1%ers | Kohanga Kaia | Dir. Tammy Davis |
| 2019 | Hardball | Aunty | Northern Pictures Australia Dir. Various |
| 2016 | Find Me A Maori Bride - Season 2 | Kate | Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Dir. Various |
| 2016 | Top of the Lake - Season 2 | Sara | Top of the Lake Productions Dir. Jane Campion |
| 2016 | Wanted 2 | Dixon | Dir. Rebecca Gibney |
| 2014 | War News | Princess Te Puea Herangi | Gibson Group Dir. Various |
| 2012 | Harry | Moana | Desert Rd Dir. Various |
| 2012 | Spartacus | Horse Wrangler | Equine Films Dir. Various |
| 2012 | Top Of The Lake | Sara | Top of the Lake Productions Dir. Jane Campion |
| 2010 | Brown Brothaz | Hana | Cinco Cine Dir. Robin Walters |
| 2010 | Korero Mai | Pearl | Cinco Cine Dir. Robin Grace |
| 2010 | Stolen | Anaha | South Pacific Pictures |
| 2009 | This Is Not My Life | Rebecca | Dir. Peter Salmon |
Theatre.
| 2018 | The Cherry Orchard | Varya | Auckland Theatre Company |
| 2011 | Hear to See | Puppeteer | Capital E Childrens Theatre Dir. Sara Broody |
| 2009 | Flintlock Musket | Dancer | Dir. Racheal House |
| 2009 | The Pohutukawa Tree | Queenie Mataira (Lead) | Dir. Colin McColl |
| 2008 | Ka Mate, Ka Ora | 5 Characters | Te Rakau O Hua Dir. Jim Moriarty |
| 2008 | Unity | Beatrice (Lead) | Conrad Newport |
| 2007 | The History of American Film | 3 Characters | Dir. Jeff Sushterman |
| 2007 | Twelfth Night | Maria | NZDS Dir. Vanessa Byrnes |
| 2006 | Short Sharp Shakes | Richard III/Lady Anne | Toi Whakaari Dir. Jackie Drew |
| 2006 | Te Tapa Toru | Kiri | Bats Theatre |
| 2005 | Hinepau | Hera | Cap E Theatre Dir. Rachael House |
| 2005 | The Bach | Hana | ATC Dir. Sarah Peirse |
| 2004 | The Prophet | Laura | Taki Rua Dir. Nina Nawalowalo |
Voice.
| 2009 | Radio New Zealand Apprenticeship | Actor/Writer | Adam McCauley |
| 2008 | Learning Media - Voice Work | Learning Media | |
| 2008 | Whanau Means Family | Jen | Dir. Jason Te Kare |
Web Series.
| 2020 | Sextortion | Carol Kupa | Dir. Kent Briggs & Kyan Krumdiek |
Training.
| Acting for Screen Workshop with Gaylene Preston - 2008 | |||
| Acting for Screen Workshop with Robert Sarkies - 2008 | |||
| Auditioning Workshop with Tiny Cleary - 2008 | |||
| Bachelor Performing Arts - Acting Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School - 2008 |