Born on March 24, 1990, in Donnybrook, Western Australia, she rose to fame at age 13 with her breakthrough role as Paikea in "Whale Rider" (2002), earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Raised in New Zealand, she continued her acting career with roles in films like "The Nativity Story" (2006) and TV series such as "Game of Thrones." Beyond acting, she advocates for environmental and indigenous rights. Her compelling performances and advocacy work have made her a respected figure in the film industry.