Shavaughn Ruakere

Shavaughn Ruakere (born 3 March 1978) is a New Zealand Māori actress and television presenter. She is best known for her role as presenter on the children's TV show What Now. Shavaughn also played the role of Roimata Ngatai on the prime-time soap opera "Shortland Street".
Early life.
Ruakere was born in Hawera but lived in Opunake until her family moved to New Plymouth when she was eight years old. She attended university in Auckland before relocating to Christchurch for a television presenter role on "What Now".
Career.
Ruakere started out as a presenter for popular children's television shows such as "What Now" in New Zealand in the late nineties and later on " ITV"' s "SMTV Live" in 2003. Her acting career began with minor roles in the films "River Queen" (2005) and "Sione's Wedding" (2006). From 2011 to 2014, Ruakere played the character of Roimata Ngatai on "Shortland Street", her most notable television role to date. In 2018, Ruakere was a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars". Although making it to the Grand Final, she and dancing partner Enrique Johns were first of the four teams to be eliminated.