Mele Tonga-Grant

Raised in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt), Mele Tonga‑Grant grew up in a family deeply rooted in Tongan arts and culture. After working in library services, leading preschool storytime and translating picture books, she began writing to share her Tongan heritage with younger generations. She has worked closely within her neighbourhood supporting Pasifika, rangatahi, and rainbow communities.

Tonga‑Grant was mentored by Dahlia Malaeulu and Mila’s Books through Creative New Zealand funding, which led to the creation of her first published work, Tui Pea Luva, in 2024. Tui Pea Luva is a poetry collection whose title means ‘weave then gift’. Composed of 48 poems celebrating Tongan women and the cultural strength passed down through generations. Primarily in English, the text includes Tongan terms and explores themes of family, identity, and female resilience. Her work also affirms the importance of knowledge sharing and cultural continuity.