Miriana was born and raised in Motueka and remains deeply connected to her whānau, whenua, and community. She has been actively involved in the development of Te Āwhina Marae and its papakāinga, helping to advance initiatives that support housing, food security, cultural revitalisation, community resilience, and whānau wellbeing. 

Miriana brings more than 20 years of experience in governance, investment, and Māori development. She is Deputy Chair of Wakatū Incorporation, where she leads the Mātauranga Māori and Research workstream, focusing on the protection, conservation, and sustainable use of taonga species and indigenous crops. She also serves as an Executive Officer of Te Āwhina Marae and has previously held roles as both a Trustee and Acting Chief Executive of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua. Across these roles, she has worked to create long-term opportunities for whānau through sustainable economic development, cultural regeneration, and intergenerational investment. 

At Te Kaiaotanga o Te Reo ki Whakatū, Miriana, alongside Ngawaina Shorrock, will share the journey of Te Āwhina Marae Papakāinga and explore how papakāinga can strengthen whānau connections, foster the everyday use of te reo Māori and tikanga, and contribute to vibrant, thriving communities for current and future generations. 

Ngāwaina resides at the Te Āwhina Marae Papakāinga in Motueka and currently works for Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua as Pou Mauri Ora.  Over many years, Te Āwhina Marae has played a significant role in strengthening her connection to Te Ao Māori, whakapapa, te reo, kawa me ōna tikanga. Her involvement within the marae has included serving on the Marae Board of Trustees, including as Chairperson, contributing to the Marae Development Team, and serving as Tumuaki for two years.  She has also served across a range of governance, iwi, and community boards throughout Te Tauihu.  

At heart, Ngāwaina considers herself “flaxroots” — grounded in service to her marae, whānau, hapū, and iwi. Over the years living and working at Te Āwhina Marae, Ngāwaina has also been a student to her kuia in learning the art and responsibility of karanga, enabling her to support her marae and many kaupapa throughout Te Tauihu.  She is also an accomplished weaver, a former student of the Hetet School of Māori Art, and has taught through wānanga across Te Tauihu.  Her work and interests continue to centre around cultural identity, mātauranga Māori, and creating spaces where whānau have access to culture and language.