Marise Wipani

Marise Gael Wipani (6 June 1964 – 6 June 2025) was a New Zealand actress and presenter. She was known for her appearances on television shows such as Shortland Street, Xena: Warrior Princess, Street Legal, Rude Awakenings, and Soldier Soldier. Early in her career, she also co-hosted the first live televised Lotto New Zealand draw alongside Doug Harvey, and was affectionately referred to as the "Lotto Lady". In addition to television, Wipani played minor roles in several films including Came a Hot Friday (1985), Mark II (1986), Grievous Bodily Harm (1988), Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur (1994), Bonjour Timothy (1995), Channelling Baby (1999), and Jubilee (2000). Wipani's career began when she was scouted at a photography studio and invited to join the Miss New Zealand competition, which would then send the winner to represent at Miss Universe 1983. Wipani came runner-up, but in the following years, began working in television in a supporting role on the Billy T. James Show. In 1985, she was cast in Came a Hot Friday. In 1987, Wipani became one of the first presenters of the live televised draw for Lotto New Zealand. She continued with acting work, and left the presenting role in 1991 to pursue acting full time. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Wipani appeared in roles in a number of shows including Soldier Soldier, the Hercules franchise, Xena: Warrior Princess, and in Shortland Street as Morgana (which she would return to in 2008 as Rebecca Scott). She was also involved in film, mainly playing minor roles in Australasian films. In her later years, Wipani worked in small productions and hospitality, and chose to live a quieter life to look after her late mother. She died on her birthday in 2025, aged 61. A close friend reported Wipani had breast cancer at the time of her death.