An auteur with a dedication to narrative storytelling, cinematic language and thematic symbolism, Renae views the world creatively from an Indigenous and global lens.   

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Raised in her Māori culture with the stories and songs of her people, her earliest memories are of writing, singing, dancing, performing and cataloguing Hollywood movies on her and her sisters VHS collection.  IQ tested in her youth, Renae was supported to explore her gifts and voice creatively, a form of expression that has endured throughout her life. 

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Known and respected globally for her commitment to Indigenous storytelling and protocol, aside from the lessons that life, family and career have taught her, she has honed her knowledge over many years of committed knowledge seeking.

 

She holds a Bachelors Degree of Māori Performing Arts Majoring in Drama (2003 - 2006) is alumni of Melbourne Talent Accelerator (2014) New York Film Academy (2015) and the Directors and Editors Guild New Zealand Women's Incubator (2016).  In 2024 Renae was invited to the prestigious Berlinale Talents program which runs in conjunction with the A-list Berlin International Film Festival.    

 

A highly intelligent filmmaker with inter-generational leadership abilities, on her paternal side Renae's great-great-great-great-grandfather was historically significant chief Hongi Hika and on her maternal side she belongs to the Taekata family, the paramount chiefs of the Te Arawa nation.

 

A hardworking organized storyteller who aims to take her voice to the world, Renae is a formidable force and an Indigenous Māori woman talent to be watched for on the global stage. 

 

For more information about Renae's career achievements, see below or take a look through the 'Body of Work' or 'Press' sections.  

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