Moira Wairama was born in Wellington, educated St Michael’s Taita, Taita College, Wellington Teachers Training College, and Victoria University.

Moira is a Wellington writer and storyteller specialising in bi-lingual tellings of Māori legends and in creating original New Zealand stories. Together with her partner Tony Hopkins, she performs stories throughout New Zealand as Soul Food Tellers.

She is an award winning writer for children in both English and Māori and also writes for radio and theatre. Her most recent book, Arapū Toi illustrated by Austin Whincup, was a finalist in the 2020 New Zealand Children’s Book awards.

Moira has facilitated community writing workshops for Read NZ Te Pou Muramura for both adults and children resulting in published work that reflects different cultural voices. Moira also works part time supporting literacy programmes at a local kura kaupapa Māori.