Mabel Wharekawa-Burt
New Zealand Māori actress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mabel Wharekawa-Burt MNZM is a New Zealand Māori film and television actress and community leader.[1][2]
Biography
Wharekawa-Burt was raised in Katikati, in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty, by her aunt and uncle as a whāngai adoption. Her home marae is Te Rereatukahia Marae. She attended Katikati College and was the first Māori student to serve as a prefect.[2]
She has appeared in several feature films, including Whale Rider, In My Father's Den, Jubilee and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence.[2][3] She has also appeared in television programmes such as Shortland Street and Mataku.[1]
Recognition
In the 2009 New Year Honours, Wharekawa-Burt was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the performing arts and the community.[1]
In October 2019, Wharekawa-Burt was inducted into the hall of fame at the inaugural Vaine Rangatira awards for Cook Islands women.[4]
