Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award Gifted by Supernova Boosted Donors – Mentored by 2024 Laureate Miriama McDowell

Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana (Tainui, Tūhoe, Te Arawa, Ngāi Pākehā) is a theatre maker based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Her theatre practice spans across acting, writing, producing, teaching, singing and directing. She is an award-winning playwright and a recipient of Creative New Zealand’s Ngā Manu Pīrere Award for emerging artists in 2021. 

Te Huamanuka is an advocate for Māori storytelling and constantly looks for ways to develop her skills and deepen her connection to other creatives. She enjoys the privilege to upskill alongside established industry leaders while also enjoying teaching and mentoring emerging artists. 

Te Huamanuka’s own theatre works of note include: Winner of Playmarket’s B4 25 Award, Lipsync, Kanikani, Twerk Off!, developed as a part of Te Pou Theatre’s 2020 Kōanga Festival and supported by CNZ’s Toi Tipu Toi, solo show Ngā Reta, programmed for Te Pou Theatre’s 2023 Kōanga Festival, followed by a self-produced North Island marae tour and the first fully te reo Māori show at Basement Theatre. Ensemble vignette theatre show Kōpū, devised with Te Rehia Theatre in 2023, toured nationally from 2024-2025 and tours internationally in late 2026. 

Her screen credits include Head High, Educators, Shortland Street and Ahikāroa.  

You can also find her music on  Spotify. 

Panel Statement: “Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana’s work is powered by a passion for story-telling, music, te reo Māori and rangatahi perspectives in a contemporary world. Her writing is sharp with authenticity and humour and the Springboard Award will super-charge her kaupapa to share truthful stories told with waiata and culture and heart.”