Our own Kāti Wheke actor extraordinare Juanita Hepi, daughter of Hapeti Stone and Hotorene Hepi (Ngāti Wai), and mokopuna of the late Priscilla and David Stone, has just finished a season at the Court Theatre during the Christchurch Arts festival. She played a role in “Hui,” a dynamic and intense whānau story centred around a tāngi and whānau relationships, where she played the role of Tina/ Tāne, a charismatic transexual.

Juanita is a graduate of the Hagley Theatre Company and Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School (Bachelor of Performing Arts, Acting). Her previous theatre credits include Motor Camp (The Court Theatre); Mo & Jess Kill Susie (Bats); Caucasian Chalk Circle (Te Whaea Theatre), and The Māori Troilus and Cressida (NZ and England), where she performed at The Globe Theatre).

In this role, she was also selected as a finalist in the Best Supporting Actress category of the 2012 NZ Chapman Tripp Awards. Her television credits include The Prophet and her film credits include White Lies/Tuakiri Huna and The Pā Boys. This film was recently completed and should be ready for release in cinemas in February 2014.

As well as acting, Juanita is Māmā to Nixie Te Koha (11 months) and Emmanuel ‘Manu’ (aged eight). She is also completing a post-graduate diploma in primary teaching at Canterbury University. She is fortunate to have a loving and supportive partner in Nigel Arts and she has great whānau support to enable her to pursue her dreams. Juanita’s whānau are very proud of her talents and achievements and wish her all the very best for her bright future.

Kāti Wheke actor extraordinare  Juanita Hepi.

Kāti Wheke actor extraordinare Juanita Hepi.

Nigel Arts holding Nixie Te Koha, Tatum (Nigel’s sister), Manu and  Juanita.

Nigel Arts holding Nixie Te Koha, Tatum (Nigel’s sister), Manu and Juanita.

From left Juanita’s mum Hapeti, her tāua the late Priscilla Stone, Juanita and her tuakana Jeni-leigh Walker when Juanita graduated from Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School.

From left Juanita’s mum Hapeti, her tāua the late Priscilla Stone, Juanita and her tuakana Jeni-leigh Walker when Juanita graduated from Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School.