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The winner of a Te Waka Toi Making a Difference award says Māori creators need to be resourceful to survive in the arts.
Actor, director and writer Tanea Heke is now director of the New Zealand Drama School Toi Whakaari.
She says the secret to a long career is dealing with the inevitable career lulls.
"These days I'm very up front with our young people and remind them when you do this there isn't anyone else looking after you. You have to be the driver of your own destiny. So while you learn your craft, always remember to do things like marketing, budget, because sometimes you won't be be necessarily going straight on to things like Shortland Street or Lord of the Rings," Mead says.
She is proud to hold an award which in the past has gone to friends and colleagues including Briar Grace-Smith, Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, Rawiri Paratene, Taiaroa Royal, George Henare, Lisa Reihana and Nancy Brunning.
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