Vicky Haughton

Vicky Haughton has acted, sung and choreographed for both stage and screen, including starring roles in musicals West Side Story and Gypsy. Haughton began her screen career as a dancer; she co-starred in variety show VJM and performed in 12 Bar Rhythm 'n Shoes. In 2001 she acted in acclaimed mockumentary Love Mussel, and co-starred in movie Her Majesty, as a kuia who befriends a young Pākehā girl. Two years later she won an NZ Film Award for global hit Whale Rider, after winning the role just a fortnight before filming began. Haughton played Nanny Flowers, the "strong, wise and very tolerant"wife to Rawiri Paratene's character.

I had to watch my movements to make sure they weren't too fast, or too slow. I didn't develop a stoop or a walk, but once the wig, the make-up and the costumes were on, it really developed from there. Vicky Haughton, on playing grandmother Nanny Flowers in Whale Rider, in the press kit for the film