Wharekawa-Burt was raised in
Katikati, in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty, by her aunt and uncle as a
whāngai adoption. Her home
marae is Te Rereatukahia Marae. She attended
Katikati College and was the first Māori student to serve as a prefect. She has also appeared in television programmes such as
Shortland Street and
Mataku. ==References==