Profile
Ethnicity
Māori
Iwi
Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi
Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Height
163 cm
Age Range
30–36
Career Highlights
Ngahuia Piripi (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) is a New Zealand actor best known for her long running role as Esther Samuels on the iconic television drama “Shortland Street”, where she became a familiar and much loved presence on Kiwi screens over the course of a decade. Her nuanced performances and natural screen presence have established her as one of New Zealand’s most recognisable talents. In 2015, Ngahuia starred in Lee Tamahori’s acclaimed feature film “Mahana”, playing the major supporting role of Miriam. Ngahuia brings authenticity, warmth, and depth to every role, continuing to build a career defined by versatility and enduring audience appeal.
Feature Film.
| 2015 | Mahana | Miriam (Major Support) | The Patriarch Ltd. Dir. Lee Tamahori |
| 2003 | The Last Samurai | Indian Girl | Warner Brothers/USA |
Television.
| 2026 | Shortland Street | Esther Samuels (Core) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2025 | Shortland Street | Esther Samuels (Core) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2024 | Shortland Street | Esther Samuels (Core) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2023 | Shortland Street | Esther Samuels (Core) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2022 | HONGI TO HĀNGĪ | ||
| 2022 | Shortland Street - Retribution | Esther Samuels (Lead) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Emmett Skilton |
| 2021 | Shortland Street - Retribution | Esther Samuels (Lead) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Emmett Skilton |
| 2020 | Shortland Street | Esther Samuels (Core) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2019 | Shortland Street | Esther Samuels (Core) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2018 | Shortland Street | Esther Samuels (Core) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2017 | Shortland Street | Esther Samuels (Core) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2016 | Shortland Street | Esther Samuels (Core) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2015 | Shortland Street | Esther Samuels (Core) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2013 | Tote's Maori TV | Retail Zombie (Recurring Guest) | TVNZ/Maori Programmes Dir. Various |
| 2010 | Korero Mai | Amokura (Lead) | Cinco Cine Film Productions Ltd Dir. Robyn Grace |
| 2008 | Waimarie - Pilot | Young Mereana | 4 Winds Films Ltd |
| 2006 | Whanau - Season 1 & 2 | Ngahuia | Cinco Cine Productions |
Theatre.
| 2013 | Patua | Sissy | Blanket & Musket Dir. Renae Maihi |
Short Film.
| 2013 | Texas Bread | Young Pare & Pawhero (Lead) | NZFC Dir. Karyn Childs |
Voice.
| 2013 | One Little Fantail | Story Teller | Radio New Zealand |
| 2013 | Remember that November | Story Teller | Radio New Zealand |