Claire Chitham (born 12 July 1978, in Auckland) is a New Zealand television actress. Claire rose to fame as Waverley Harrison (née Wilson) in the New Zealand TV show Shortland Street, from 1994–1995 and 1997–2005 and Aurora Bay in Outrageous Fortune from 2006–2007.

Claire Chitham
Born
Claire Margaret Chitham

(1978-07-12) 12 July 1978 (age 46)
OccupationActress
Years active1990-present
SpouseMikey 'Havoc' Roberts (divorced)[1]

Career

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Her first television role was a guest appearance in The New Adventures of Black Beauty (1990). A recurring guest role in Shortland Street followed, which went on to become core cast, with Chitham starring in the show for seven years as Waverly Wilson (later Harrison).

Chitham next appeared as Aurora Bay, in the second and third seasons of Outrageous Fortune - New Zealand's highest rating drama. Aurora was the longtime love interest of Van West (Antony Starr) - her character died tragically, after being hit by a bus while trying to hide her ex-boyfriend Tyson's (Ben Barrington) stash of drugs.

On 22 August 2007, she began appearing as Chantelle Rebecchi in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.

In 2008 Chitham appeared in Episode 1 of the Australian television series Canal Road. Her character, Kristen, plays the wife of core cast member Det Snr Const Ray Driscoll (played by Grant Bowler, who also played Wolf, her father in-law-to-be in Outrageous Fortune).

In 2009 Chitham guest starred in the TV series Legend of the Seeker in the episode 'Mirror' (season 1, episode 18). She also featured in Muller Yoghurt advertisements screened in New Zealand and the UK and guest starred as herself in the New Zealand comedy series The Jaquie Brown Diaries.

Claire appeared as Angela Phillips in Australian feature film The Cup in 2011. Based on the true story of the 2002 Melbourne Cup race, The Cup was directed by Simon Wincer and starring Brendan Gleeson.

Having studied in New York and Los Angeles, Chitham has also appeared in a number of stage productions, including Rabbit, by Nina Raine; The Real Thing, by Tom Stoppard; and The Only Child, by Simon Stone.

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1990 The New Adventures of Black Beauty Isambard unknown episodes
1992 The Ray Bradbury Theater Rosalyn Auffmann "The Happiness Machine" (S06E02)
1994–95 Shortland Street Waverley Wilson unknown episodes
1995 Riding High Hannah unknown episodes
1998–2005, 2017, 2022 Shortland Street Waverley Wilson/Harrison Main role
2005 Interrogation Girl in Woods unknown episodes
2006–07 Outrageous Fortune Aurora Bay Series regular, 17 episodes
2007 Neighbours Chantelle Rebecchi 3 episodes
2008 Canal Road Kristen Flowers unknown episodes
2009 Legend of the Seeker Bianca "Mirror" (S01E18)
2017–18 Power Rangers Ninja Steel Mrs. Finch 8 episodes
2019 Fresh Eggs Penny Main role
2020 Mean Mums Jane Episode: Season 2, Episode 5
2021 The Brokenwood Mysteries Sophie Grainger Episode: "Something Nasty in the Market"

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2011 The Cup Angela Phillips Drama
2019 Falling Inn Love Shelley

Personal life

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In early 2006, Chitham married New Zealand musician, TV personality and radio DJ Mikey 'Havoc' Roberts. It was reported in early 2009 that they had separated. They are now divorced. Chitham remained in their West Auckland marital home following the split.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Michele Hewitson interview: Mikey Havoc". nzherald.co.nz. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Wedding blues for screen stars". Stuff.co.nz. 12 April 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
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