Maza is a writer, director, and actor known for crafting culturally grounded, emotionally resonant stories.

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Originally from Iran and now based in Aotearoa, she holds a First Class Honours master’s degree in creative writing from AUT and completed the 30-week Creative Hub programme, which has launched many of the country’s emerging writers.

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Fluent in Farsi and conversational in French, with a touch of Spanish, her multilingual skills reflect a life lived across continents.

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She has written several features, a comedy mini-series, and dozens of shorts, and has brought many of these projects to the screen as both writer and director. Her commissioned work includes a national health campaign, a one-woman stage show supported by CNZ, and contributions to television story rooms. She has also written for Shortland Street, New Zealand’s longest-running drama.

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Her latest short, Daughter of God, funded by the NZ Film Commission, won Best Screenplay at the 2023 Show Me Shorts Festival and was selected by Niki Caro for NZIFF’s New Zealand’s Best.

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Maza brings the same emotional depth to her performances as she does to her scripts and directing. She’s drawn to raw, complex characters that demand honesty. Her work often explores identity, belonging, and resilience.

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She lives in Auckland with her husband, two sons, and a small crew of animals.