[3] She grew up on an isolated sheep station near Gisborne on the East Coast of New Zealand[1] and was educated at Hukarere Māori Girls' College and Gisborne Girls' High School.
[4] After leaving school, she had various jobs including laboratory assistant, sales rep and tutor[4] before returning to study as a mature student.
[5] In 2011, Mere Whaanga also received the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for Tangaroa's Gift.
[12] A Carved Cloak for Tahu[13] was a finalist in the History section of the Montana New Zealand Book Awards 2005.
[14] Mere Whaanga has received a number of awards, including the Choysa Bursary for Children's Writers in 1988, Te Ha Award for Māori Writers in 1991, QEII Literary Fund Incentive Grant in 1991, Te Waka Toi New Work Grant in 2002, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage Fellowship in Māori History in 2001–2003.