Awhimai Fraser

Awhimai Fraser’s name has been popping up more and more if you’ve been paying attention to the New Zealand film scene. She’s not just a one-hit wonder either—she’s racked up credits in some seriously buzzy projects. You might’ve caught her in Encounters back in 2021, a film that got people talking for all the right reasons, or maybe you heard her voice in Frozen Reo Māori, which totally reimagined the Disney juggernaut in the te reo Māori language. That one was cool for all sorts of reasons, but let’s be real—it takes guts and serious talent to reinterpret a cultural phenomenon for a whole new audience. And now, with Moana 2 dropping in 2024, her star's only getting brighter. People who know her say she’s got this effortless charm, like she’s just as comfortable leading a big production as she is cracking up the crew behind the scenes. Off the set, she’s married to James Tito, another creative powerhouse, and honestly, they kind of feel like a dream team for modern Māori storytelling. Awhimai’s work feels real and rooted; she just gets how to blend the magic of cinema with the heart and humor people crave. If you’re into movies that bring something new to the table, keep an eye out for her—she’s only getting started, and the film world’s better for it.