Miriama Smith does the catwalk during Fashion Week

Miriama Smith is giving modelling a second chance.

She's done television, we've seen her on the big screen, and she's certainly no stranger to the stage.

But New Zealand actress Miriama Smith may have to summon up all her acting powers for a one-off role as catwalk model in next week's New Zealand Fashion Week.

The raven-haired beauty will be strutting her stuff along Auckland's High St, which will be closed to traffic and turned into a catwalk, for the "sexy with an edge of simplicity" clothing label Modus Operandi.

It's an interesting move by Smith, for not only was she a tomboy when growing up, Smith also owes her acting career to a failed encounter with the modelling world as a teen.

A relative encouraged her to take a deportment course, but she soon realised she "couldn't relate to people walking round in a swimsuit". So she turned her hand to acting instead, and has never looked back.

Perhaps best known for her role in Shortland Street as nurse Awhina Broughton, Smith is now living in Australia, and auditioning for new roles. She said she was looking forward to an ongoing union with Modus Operandi.

"It's a very promising brand. It definitely evolved and you just have to look at its growth and how it started on High St.

"Now they want to launch internationally and it can only keep building from there. I think there is a big future for Modus."

Smith will be used to having all eyes on her - she can be seen on Kiwi screens as the only female lead in an Australian drama about guys called Last Man Standing.

She will be one of a host of stars appearing in this year's NZ Fashion Week, including Dancing with the Stars hunks Norm Hewitt and Shane Cortese, and Fear Factor winner and Cleo Bachelor of the Year finalist Mark Hewlitt.

Golfer Michael Campbell is also keen to attend, if his busy schedule will allow.

Hailed by overseas fashion gurus as one to watch, the fifth New Zealand Fashion Week will feature top fashion labels such as Trelise Cooper and up-and-comers like Charmaine Love.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY