Acushla-Tara Kupe
Acushla-Tara Kupe (Ngāti Maniapoto) is a compelling and versatile actor who works successfully across both stage and screen. She is an instinctive actor, who enjoys the chance for layered character work, and roles with emotional depth.
She first came to screen attention in the cult feature Fresh Meat, before spending several years working at Circa Theatre, laying a solid foundation for her career. Theatre work remains a key part of her practice, with recent highlights including the demanding solo role of Tessa in Prima Facie, where she held the stage to much critical acclaim.
On screen, Acushla-Tara has built a strong body of work across local and international productions. She is best known for her lead role as Detective Sergeant Diana Huia in Irish/New Zealand crime drama The Gone, a performance that has brought her wider international attention. Her broader screen credits include Mr Corman, Under the Vines, Shortland Street, The Brokenwood Mysteries, and most recently Evil Dead: Wrath.
Alongside her acting work, she works behind the scenes in the industry, and maintains a strong connection to te ao Māori, both of which inform her work as a performer.
Hair Colour
Dark Brown
Location
Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau
Age Range
27 - 37
Ethnicity
Māori, New Zealand European
Height
169cm
Eye Colour
Brown
Full CV
-
Feature Film
2026 - Evil Dead Wrath - Denise - New Line Cinemas/Ghost House Pictures
2021 - Encounters - Sarah (supporting) - Oneshotcollective
2017 - Ghost in the Shell - Hanka Nurse - Director - Rupert Sanders - Paramount Pictures
2016 - Chronesthesia - Elena (supporting) - Director - Hayden J Wheal - Turn Right Ltd
2015 - The Dead Room - Anna - Director - Jason Stutter
2012 - Fresh Meat - Kiri (supporting) - Gibson Group
Television
2026 - The Brokenwood Mysteries: season 12 - Tash - South Pacific Pictures
2025 - The Gone: season 2 - Diana Huia (lead) - Blinder Films (Ireland), Kingfisher Films (NZ), Southern Lights Films (AU)
2024 - 2026 - Shortland Street - Bonnie Kawaiti (major recurring guest) - South Pacific Pictures
2023 - The Gone: season 1 - Diana Huia (lead) - Blinder Films (Ireland), Kingfisher Films (NZ), Southern Lights Films (AU)
2024 - Under the Vines: season 3 - Sienna - Libertine Pictures
2023 - Te Pāmu Kūmara: season 2 - Grace Rau - Director - Te Manawani Rawiri - Kura Productions
2022 - Te Pāmu Kūmara: season 1 - Grace Rau - Kura Productions
2022 - Under The Vines: season 2 - Sienna - Libertine Pictures
2021 - Mr Corman - Susan - Director - Joseph Gordon-Levitt - Apple TV
2021 - The Crown: season 4 - Dance Performer - Netflix
2017 - Creeped Out - Pui - BBCTheatre
2024 - A Doll's House - Nora - Director - Mel Luckman - The Court Theatre
2023 - Prima Facie - Tessa Ensler - Director - Paul Gittins - Auckland Live/Plumb Productions
2023 - Waiting for Waiting for Godot - Laura - Director -Michael Hurst
2020 - Emilia - Emilia #1 - Director - Miriama McDowell - Pop Up Globe
2020 - Found in Translation - Kandii - Te Pou Theatre in association with Circa Theatre
2020 - Front Yard Fest - Performer - Director - Tainui Tukiwaho - Te Pou Theatre
2019 - Anahera - Anahera (lead) - Director - Alice Kornitzer - Finsbourgh Theatre
2019 - Twelfth Night - Feste - Director - Raw McKen - Iris Theatre
2019 - Like You Hate Me - Lead - Director - Jess Barton - Fight or Flight
2017 - Slow Ripening Fruit - Jessica (lead) - Director - Nastazja Somers - Bechdel Theatre
2017 - Romeo & Juliet - Benvolio - Director - Mathew Bentley - Mayhem Theatre
2015 - 2020 - Nancy (lead) - Director - Katie Wolfe - Hapai Productions
2014 - Hotel - Anita - Director - Paul McLaughlin - Site Specific NZ
2014 - A View From The Bridge - Catherine (lead) - Director - Susan Wilson - Circa Theatre
2013 - Kings of the Gym - Annie (lead) - Director - Danny Mulheron - Circa Theatre
Short Film
2025 - Tama and Mahuika - Miriama - Director/s - Corey Le Vaillant & Jared Flitcroft - Ingot Films
2022 - The Brylcream Boys - Amiria - Director - Rafer Rautjoki
2019 - Woman in Blue - Awhi (lead) - Director - Jack O'Donnell
2018 - Review - Jane (lead) - Central Film School
2017 - Lantana - Lantana - University of Westminster
2013 - The Return - Lead - Director - Gretchen Peterson
Commercial includes
2025 - Vue Cinemas - Woman - UK & Europe only
2023 - Les Mills - Choose Happy - NZ only
2022 - Kaitiaki - Hero Sister - NZ only
2022 - NZ Cancer Society 'Can Move' - Story Teller - NZ only -
2016 - 2019 - Acting Workshops - with The Actors Guild
2015 - Being Human Workshop - with Brita McVeigh
2010 - 2014 - Young and Hungry training - with Auckland Theatre Company -
Accents - Standard American, British (various)
Languages - Te Reo Māori, Sign Language
Stage combat training
Singer, Mezzo
Drivers Licence - Full, Manual
Showreel
Social Media
Instagram followers:
