[1] Her mother, Sophia Tang, was a Chinese Malaysian lounge singer in Malaysia when she met Joseph Te Okoro Runga (died 2005),[2] a Māori ex-serviceman and self-taught pianist.

'"[5] Runga grew up in Hornby, Christchurch, surrounded by a musically inclined family, and started recording songs with her sisters, Boh (oldest)[2] and Pearl, when she was four years old.

Under the name Love Soup, Runga and Kelly Horgan entered the 1993 Smokefreerockquest in Christchurch, achieving third place and a music contract with Pagan Records.

Runga's song "Sway", along with a duet with Dan Wilson of Semisonic called "Good Morning Baby", were used in the films American Pie, and Cruel Intentions.

The second was a 1999 collaboration with fellow New Zealanders Strawpeople, providing guest vocals for their cover of The Cars' classic 1984 hit.

New Zealand artists Neil Finn (piano) and Anika Moa (backing vocals) contributed to the album.

Runga played a 'Vietnamese lounge singer' in the 2005 film Little Fish, and covered Gene Pitney's "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" for the soundtrack.

[9] Runga contributed to the score and soundtrack to New Zealand filmmaker Roseanne Liang's debut feature film My Wedding and Other Secrets (2011).

In addition to featuring "Say After Me" from Birds, the film also included two tracks ("Hello Hello" and "This Girl's Prepared for War") from her fourth album Belle.

As well as solo performances by both artists, these shows included covers of songs by Simon & Garfunkel, Yoko Ono, Francoise Hardy, Donovan and Fleetwood Mac.

[13] In October 2016, it was announced that Runga would release an album of consisting of ten covers and two original tracks titled Close Your Eyes.

In the 2006 New Year Honours Runga was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music.