Cian Elyse White
Cian Elyse White | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1988 (age 37–38) Rotorua, New Zealand |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 2011–present |
Cian Elyse White is a New Zealand actress. She is best known for playing Toni Poulan in the drama series Vegas and Hannah in the comedy drama series 800 Words.
Early life
White was born in Rotorua, New Zealand.[1] She attended St Michael's Primary School and John Paul College before getting an art degree at Toi Whakaari. Her first major performance out of drama school was in Bruce Mason's Awatea, a study of Māori rural communities in the 50s and 60s. She shared the stage with theatre veteran George Henare who reprised the role he played in the original 1968 production.[2]
Career
In 2011 her play Hear to See won Most Original Production at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. She played Leanne in a one off appearance in the drama series The Blue Rose.[3] Her first big role came playing Hannah in the comedy drama series 800 Words. For her performance she was nominated for a Logie Award.[4] She made her directing debut in 2019 with the short film Daddy’s Girl/Kōtiro and followed it up in 2021 with another short film called PIIKSI/Huia. Both films represented Te Ao Māori and wāhine Māori on-screen.[5] She played Toni Poulan, one of the lead characters in the drama series Vegas.[6] She portrayed the adult version of Gloria in the film Cousins.[7]
Personal life
She is the founder of Māori production company, WAITĪ Productions. She is a huge fan of singers Ella Fitzgerald, Dorothy Moore, Sam Cooke, The Hi-Marks, The Inkspots and Kenny Rogers.[8]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Fantail | Kapa Haka Girl | Short |
| 2017 | Meke | Rita | Short |
| 2021 | Cousins | Adult Gloria |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Underbelly NZ: Land of the Long Green Cloud | Andy | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | The Blue Rose | Leanne | Episode; Paint a Vulgar Picture |
| 2015 | Tatau | Lara Morgan | 8 episodes |
| 2015-2018 | 800 Words | Hannah | 39 episodes |
| 2018 | The Brokenwood Mysteries | Chontelle | 2 episodes |
| 2021 | Vegas | Toni Poulan | 6 episodes |
| 2021 | My Life Is Murder | Nicki Balodis | Episode; Ghost Town Tricks |
| 2022 | Moe & Friends | Narrator | |
| 2022 | Beyond the Veil | Manaia | Episode; Te Kohu-The Mist |
References
- ↑ "Celestina Harris: The Rising Star From San Antonio Making Waves In Hollywood". firstlights.au. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Our People: Cian Elyse White - 'I was a born story-teller'". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "800 Words' Cian Elyse White discusses the power of storytelling". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Rotorua born actress nominated for Logie Award". nzherald.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Cian Elyse White: storytelling that centres wāhine Māori". nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Vegas star Cian Elyse White: The rise of a star using storytelling as a vehicle for hope". nzherald.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Movie review: Cousins". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Loose Canons: Cian Elyse White". pantograph-punch.com. Retrieved 6 August 2026.