Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand MC/Entertainer Profile

Profile

Cultural Luminary & Performance Proponent

Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand is one of New Zealand’s most recognised and respected actors, having worked in theatre, film and television for over 40 years. Not only is she an award winning actor; she is a director, board member, MC, judge, Keynote Speaker, live performance host, panellist and Intimacy Coordinator. Among many honours, she was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for her significant contribution to the arts.

Mission

Jennifer’s dedicated service to her industry in her role as president of Equity New Zealand for over 15 years has seen her build the performers union from hundreds to thousands. Her work as one of the first accredited intimacy coordinators in New Zealand has ushered in a culture change around best practice for intimate scenes.

A champion of the arts, Jennifer is deeply curious, loves change, and doesn’t want to sit still. Service is in her genetic makeup. She is working to make her industry a better and safer place.

Jennifer has been a student of Te Reo Māori since 2008. Her fluency and dedication contributed to her being named the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year in 2020. Jennifer brings her passion for Te Reo Māori into all of her work and feels a deep responsibility to use her platform to advocate for the language.

Keynote

Whether advocating for Te Reo Māori, shining a light on a career in the arts, or advancing career inequities, Jennifer is as elegant as she is down-to-earth.

In hot-demand as an MC and Speaker for arts and corporate events, her warmth, self-assurance and wit have carried audiences at events such as the Whitecliffe Fashion Show (eight times), The New Zealand Institute of Architecture Awards (five times), and The Equity Lifetime Achievement Award (six times). Alongside this is a plethora of speaking projects that range from Developing women in Engineering (2022), to the NZ Opera School (2023). Her fluency in Te Reo Māori brings an added depth to her work.

Jennifer prides herself on her professionalism and encourages others to embrace creativity and change. She is an advocate for empathy and a builder of community.

Pronoun

She/Her

Ethnicity

European

Location

Auckland, New Zealand

Skills

After Dinner Speaker, Compere/MC, Judge, Keynote Speaker, Live Performance Host, Panellist, Singer

Interests

Intimacy Coordination (for stage & screen), Current Affairs, Directing, Film & Television, Musical Theatre, Opera, Te Reo Māori , Teaching, Theatre, Travel

Speaking Topics

Career inequities for women actors, Intimacy coordination, My Journey to learn Te Reo Maori, The career of an NZ actor

Links

Social Links

Event Highlights

2025Anzac Day Dawn & National Services, The Department of Internal Affairs - MC
2025Xena Event LA, Creation - Entertainer/Speaker
2024Anzac Day Dawn & National Services, The Department of Internal Affairs - MC

Testimonials (4)

Amber Wakefield | Executive Officer

We had the absolute pleasure of having Jennifer as our MC for our recent awards event, and once again, she exceeded all our expectations. This is the third time we've invited her to lead our largest event of the year, and her invaluable screen industry knowledge and connections have consistently elevated our prestigious occasion. Jennifer's fluency in Te Reo Māori added a beautiful and meaningful touch, creating an inclusive atmosphere that resonated deeply with our diverse audience. Her professionalism and poise brought an undeniable energy to the evening, ensuring that the event flowed seamlessly and that all attendees had an engaging and enjoyable experience. We are incredibly grateful for her dedication, talent, and the warmth she brings to the screen industry. Jennifer is not just a fantastic MC; she’s a wonderful person to work alongside, and we wholeheartedly recommend her for any future events.

NZCS Awards 2024

New Zealand Cinematographers Society