Anapela Polataivao
Anapela Polataivao is a New Zealand actor, writer, and director of stage and screen. Background Polataivao was born in Samoa and has heritage from Vailoa, Vaiusu, Fagae'e and Safune. She grew up in South Auckland. Career Polataivao began acting as a child with her role at the age of eight. She was part of the Maidment Youth Theatre at the University of Auckland and in 2000 graduated from the New Zealand drama school Toi Whakaari with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting). In 2002 she formed the theatre group Kila Kokonut Krew with Vela Manusaute. Together they created the musical The Factory which became a web series in 2014. The show toured throughout Australia and had a five-week run at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. With Goretti Chadwick Polataivao created the comedy duo Pani and Pani. They also created and present the Māori Television show, Games of Bros. Polataivao worked as acting tutor at PIPA (Pacific Institute of Performing Arts) until PIPA closed at the end of 2017 when the BEST Pacific Institute of Education went into liquidation. A theatre play directed by Polataivao, Wild Dogs Under My Skirt by Tusiata Avia was re-worked in 2016 from a solo to