When Waimarie Tipene stepped through the doors of Albany Senior High School (ASHS) in 2020, she was navigating one of the most vulnerable times in her life. Fast forward to today, and she’s a rising filmmaker based on the Gold Coast, with a growing portfolio of powerful, community-rooted work, and a deep sense of self shaped in no small part by her time at ASHS.
A Bold Voice in Film
Of Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, and Uēnuku descent (among others), Waimarie is a proud Māori storyteller working across Aotearoa and Australia. After ASHS, she pursued a Diploma in Screen Production at South Seas Film School, majoring in Documentary Directing and Research. Her debut short documentaries, Te Ringa-a-Turoa and Fazes, screened both nationally and internationally – a promising start to an ambitious career.
She went on to work with production companies like Pango Productions and Greenstone TV before making the leap across the Tasman to deepen her craft at the New York Film Academy Australia. There, she completed a Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Filmmaking, while also beginning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film, Screen and New Media at QUT, where she’s currently in her final year.
In 2024, she launched her own production company, 897 Studios, dedicated to telling bold, raw, and authentic stories that reflect her whakapapa. Her latest work, The Broken Circle – a proof-of-concept short film – has screened across Queensland and Auckland, with global festival submissions underway.
A School That Made Space for Healing
Waimarie only spent one year at ASHS, but its impact was profound. “When I first arrived at ASHS, I was unsure of who I was. I felt lost, even uncertain of what name to go by,” she recalls. But that year became a turning point.
Through supportive friendships, empathetic staff, and a culture that celebrated authenticity, Waimarie began to rebuild her sense of self. “ASHS gave me the space to rediscover my identity, to build confidence, and to grow into someone who could imagine a future for herself.”
She speaks especially highly of the care provided by Student Services. “Their support extended far beyond academics – they genuinely looked after my mental and physical wellbeing. That shaped how I understand and prioritise self-care today.”
Teachers Who Saw Her Potential
Waimarie credits a number of ASHS teachers for helping her find her footing. Teachers like Olivia (Spanish), Tracy (Classical Studies), Simon (Media), and Sote (Travel & Tourism) nurtured her curiosity and encouraged her to explore new ideas. Her tutor, Miss Cristina Casey, supported her transition from Kura Kaupapa Māori, recognising the language and cultural adjustments she faced.
And then there was Whaea Trish, who became an anchor. “Māori always sense other Māori,” Waimarie says. “She helped me feel grounded in a mainstream environment and reconnected me with Te Reo Māori – even in a new way.”
Each of these mentors played a part in helping Waimarie believe in herself again.
One Year, Lifelong Change
A defining memory? The very first school assembly. “It was the first time I’d ever seen a school leader like Principal Claire Amos – pink hair, tattoos, piercings – standing proudly in front of 900+ students, encouraging us to be our most authentic selves. That moment was unforgettable. It told me this place was different.”
Now, as she runs workshops for rangatahi in Logan City alongside writing, directing, and producing new work, while building her trans-Tasman company, Waimarie is clear about where her story took a turn: “ASHS will always be the place where I began to believe in myself.”
