Merenia is one of New Zealand’s prominent choreographers. Since graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance in 1990, she has worked nationally and internationally as a contemporary dancer, teacher and choreographer.

Her choreographic works of note are Māui, The Wearable Arts, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song and Dance, Te Mana, Wild Civility, Pounamu, C.O.R.E, Alchemy, IVE, Hono Tai and Entangled. Her latest work Black Rain will be receiving its world premiere at the Kōwhiti Festival.

Her experience extends beyond New Zealand having performed and staged works in Hong Kong, Spain, France, Denmark and the United States. As well as dancing internationally for Upper Cut Danse Teatre in Copenhagen and Artgenossen in Munich, she has also performed for New Zealand choreographers Michael Parmenter, Mary Jane O’Reilly, Deirdre Tarrant and Stephen Bradshaw of Taiao Dance Theatre, where Merenia began her performance career, 20 years ago.

Merenia lives in Wellington with her husband Mark and her three children, Elliette, Cameron and Ben. She is also involved in Raising the Barre, classes for freelance professionals held at the Royal New Zealand Ballet studios. www.raisingthebarre.co.nz

Ahakoa he iti he pounamu.