Tania Gilchrist

Tania (Ngāti Porou) studied acting at The Christchurch Academy in 1987. After that she secured roles in television shows like Shark in the Park, Neighbourhood Watch, amongst others, including winning a role in The Billy T James Show in 1990.

After returning to Ōtautahi Christchurch to raise her family, Tania commenced Māori language studies at Te Puna Wānaka (Ara). Tania has had the opportunity to return to the stage for the development and touring seasons of Taki Rua production He Kura e Huna Ana by Hoehepa Waitoa, and for a role in Waiora at The Court Theatre in 2016. At The Court Theatre’s first Māori and Pasifika Theatre festival in 2017 Tania directed a performance reading of Hone Kouka’s Homefires. In 2018 Tania participated in The Court Theatre’s Ē Toru programme for the development of her original play, Rīpeka.

She is passionate about the development of Māori theatre and its role in revitalising Māori language.