[4] Te Morenga completed a PhD titled The effects of altering macronutrient composition on diabetes risk at the University of Otago in 2010, supervised by Jim Mann, Sheila Williams and Rachel C.

[5] After completing her doctorate, Te Morenga joined the faculty of the University of Otago as part of the Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre.

[4][6] Te Morenga's research focuses on how to prevent and treat obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease using dietary interventions.

[9][10] Te Morenga is part of the Riddet Institute Centre of Research Excellence, and the Healthier Lives National Science Challenge, and the Health Coalition Aotearoa.

Te Morenga will also look at sugar intake levels and investigate how those can be reduced, and work with Māori communities to design dietary interventions that are culturally appropriate.