Bree Peters


Brittany Peters is a New Zealand stage, film and television actress, director, stunt performer and acting coach. She is best known for her recurring roles on the soap operas Shortland Street, as Pania Stevens, and in Home and Away, as Gemma Parata.
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Early life

Peters was born in New Zealand to Louise, a primary school teacher and Winston Peters, who served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2023 to 2025. She has one older sibling – a brother, Joel.

Career

Peters' acting career commenced in 2002 when she was cast in the stage production of Fame, based on the film of the same name; after which she entered formal training and attended the Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree. Following this, she attended the Actors Lab Workshop where she was trained by actress Miranda Harcourt. She continued in theatre before appearing in short films and then television, landing guest roles on The Almighty Johnsons, Go Girls, The Blue Rose and Nothing Trivial. She later underwent a Professional Practitioners course at the Massive Theatre Company.
In 2014, Peters began appearing in the medical soap opera Shortland Street as Dr. Pania Stevens. Her first major screen role, Peters' duration on the show lasted eight months on a recurring basis. Her role on the series was met with a mixed reception; viewers were highly critical of her portrayal as a villain and she was subjected to online bullying forcing her to close all her social media accounts, while others showed their support as she was praised for her performance and her acting skills.
In conjunction with her acting career, she began courses in stunt work for Cherokee Films New Zealand, and professional boxing where she trained at Fight Camp. In 2015, Peters competed in the Female Celebrity Fight category at the Super 8 Boxing Tournament, beating actress Lisa O'Loughlin.
For her performance in short film Every Moment, she earned the Te Tohu Auahatanga Award for Best Actress and the Viewers' Choice Award for Best Actress at the Tropfest New Zealand in 2015, while she was additionally nominated for a New Zealand Film Award for Best Actress in a Short Film.
In 2016, Peters travelled to the United States where she attended a three-month Summer course at the Atlantic Theater Company. Her subsequent television work followed with guest appearances on Find Me a Māori Bride, The Dead Lands and Fresh Eggs.
In 2019, it was announced that Peters would be cast in the Seven Network Australian soap opera Home and Away. She appeared as Gemma Parata, part of a Māori family who moves to Summer Bay under tragic circumstances. She made her first appearance in the ninety-minute opening episode of the 2020 season on 27 January. She departed the series in July 2020.

Theatre credits

Fame – as Lambchops Antony and Cleopatra – as Cleopatra – Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolPegasus Moon – as Dancer – Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolStop Kiss – as Callie – Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolBattles of the Heart – as Neva – Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolThe Seagull – as Polina – Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolStuff Happens – as Condoleezza Rice – Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolCabaret – as Lead Soloist – Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolTape – as Amy – Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolPeople Don't Sing When They're Feeling Sensible – as Lead – Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolPeer Gynt – as Various roles – Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama SchoolThe Crucible – as Mercy Lewis – Auckland Theatre CompanyWhero's New Net – as Whero – Massive Theatre CompanyLife as a Dream – Various roles – Silo TheatreWhero's New Net – as Whero – Silo TheatreHavoc in the Garden – as Jani – Massive Theatre CompanyA Basement Christmas Carol – as Bobby Cratchet – Silo TheatreHauraki Horror – Paikea – Silo TheatreGeneration Z: Edinburgh Fringe Festival – as Frosty – Royale ProductionsGeneration Z: Zombie Red Zone – as Frosty – Royale ProductionsThe Wholehearted – as Performer/deviser Burn Her – as Lead – Massive Theatre CompanyEmilia – as Mary Sidney

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009FeedbackVarious roles
2012The Almighty JohnsonsShonaSeason 2; guest role
2013The Blue RoseKatSeason 1; guest role
2013Go GirlsBarmaidSeason 5; guest role
2012–13Nothing TrivialKarenSeasons 2–3; guest role
2014–15, 2023Shortland StreetPania StevensSeasons 23–24, 32; recurring role
2015Funny GirlsVarious roles
2016TinderellasStephaniePilot
2016Find Me a Māori BrideSusanSeason 2; recurring role
2015–162KahaHerself/Presenter
2018Only in AotearoaVarious roles
2018Third TermZambesiPilot; webseries
2019Fresh EggsTina
2020The Dead LandsMaramaSeason 1; guest role
2020Home and AwayGemma ParataSeason 33; recurring role
2020Mean MumsMs. LightfootSeason 2; guest role
2020The WildsSusanPilot
2021Good GriefTrishaSeason 1
2022The Brokenwood MysteriesKarla WhitimaiSeason 8; guest role
2023Sweet ToothDollySeason 2; guest role
2023Double ParkedCassSeason 1; guest role
2024Spinal DestinationTessa RiversSeason 1; main role
2024Friends Like HerStaceyTV series
2024N00bAroha BennettRecurring role

YearTitleNotes
2020The New Legends of MonkeyChaperone
2021Sweet ToothChild acting coach
2022Raised by RefugeesDirector
2024Pack RatIntimacy coordinator
2024Went Up the HillChild performance coach
2025He Had It ComingIntimacy coordinator