Cian Elyse White

Since finishing a performing arts degree at Toi Whakaari in 2009, Cian Elyse White has etched out a busy career as an actor, director and writer. The Rotorua local wrote and directed award-winning short film Daddy's Girl (Kōtiro), which played at international film festivals, starred as tavern owner Toni Poulan in gangland drama Vegas, and played a surfer on Trans-Tasman hit 800 Words over its three seasons. White also did her own stunts on Vegas — she got a scar after cutting her lip. The fluent te reo speaker has also written plays, including Auckland Theatre Company production 48 Nights on Hope St.

I absolutely love doing stunts. A personal favourite was a stunt I got to perform in real time that takes place in episode two (Bats and glass equals chaos!). Cian Elyse White, on playing tavern owner Toni Poulan in Vegas, The NZ Herald, 28 March 2021