Actor and writer, Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana (Ngāti Hikairo, Tainui) grew up in Waikato and on the East Coast, before studying at South Seas Film and Television School and The Actors’ Program in Auckland. Since graduating, Manuka has worked mainly in the film and television industry, with roles on Head High and Ahikāroa, and recently finished writing her first play Lip Sync, Kanikani, Twerk Off! with support from Te Pou’s Kōanga Festival Playwrights Programme and Creative New Zealand. This won Playmarket's B425 award and has been presented at Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival. Te Huamanuka's latest work Back on Track was shortlisted for the award in 2022. Te Huamanuka is a 2021 recipient of a Ngā Manu Pīrere award from Creative new Zealand.