Born and bred in the Waikato, my whanau set roots in Kirikiriroa when my koro settled in the Frankton railway village as a train driver. Four generations still reside in Hamilton including my 93 year old nana.
After 16 years in the building industry, I felt creatively repressed so I took myself; in my early 30’s, to Auckland to study at The Make-Up School in Ponsonby. The school focussed on film and television and had the advantage of industry connections.
After graduating top of my class, I was offered a job as the Make-Up Designer’s assistant on a TV show called Spartacus: Blood and Sand. At the time it was the most expensive TV show in the world and was unprecedented as it was shot entirely in studios. That was in 2009 and I’ve been in film and TV ever since.
I am very used to the ups and downs of this industry and have learned that adaptability is necessary to function in this creative space. I am a proud member of WIFT.
I am a mum to one kind, curious and energetic kid who surprises me every day with his wonderful approach to life. His incredible confidence and resilience, and my husband’s ability to happily make mince every night for dinner, allows me to be based in Hamilton but live away from home when I am filming.
I still kick myself at the incredible experiences my job affords me and I am passionate about the story-telling process. Depsite having worked with wigs for 14 years, I completed a wig course last month as I believe there is always something to be learned.
