Merenia Gray

Gray, Merenia (Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne, Tainui) has built a remarkable career across dance, teaching, and writing. As a choreographer, she has shaped innovative dance works on companies such as: The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Footnote Dance Company and Merenia Gray Dance Theatre, that celebrate te ao Māori and women’s stories. 

In interviews she has spoken openly about her mother, Tiahuia, describing how their deep bond inspired her to create choreography, that led to her triptych tribute to her mother: Karanga the stage show at Q Theatre Auckland in 2021; Karanga, a short film directed by Mary-Lyn Chambers; and her book, Tiahuia. These works reflect a profound connection between generations of Māori women and the whenua.

In addition to her performance and teaching work, Merenia has embraced writing as a way to expand the storytelling she’s always expressed through movement. Her non-fiction work Tiahuia: A Karanga to My Mother was published by Huia in 2024. It uses the format of a karanga, the first call in te ao Māori, to explore Tiahuia Te Puea Hērangi’s life and whakapapa.

Merenia is currently working as a Place and Partner Specialist - Arts, for Auckland Council, and is working on an anthology of poetry entitled Ko Iwi.