After starring in New Zealand’s favourite soap Shortland Street, actress Te Ao o Hinepehinga Rauna’s career is going global – and she owes it all to a high-flying Hollywood agent who stumbled upon her stunning performance in the rugby drama Head High.
Smiling, the 29-year-old explains, “Mike Gillespie is married to Anna Hutchison from Go Girls and a few years ago, they were flying back to New Zealand to visit Anna’s family with their new bubs, which is how Mike happened to watch Head High on the plane.”
Keen to take a punt on Te Ao’s talent, Mike reached out and suggested they meet.
She recalls, “Mike liked my vibe and that I answered his questions honestly. But I also told him I thought he wasa futuristic climate-change drama filmed in Mexico. Making waves with her dynamic performance, Te Ao was soon offered another big gig, playing Jason Momoa’s wife in Apple TV+’s