Piripi was born in
Auckland to Poto Stephens-Dunn and Haami Piripi; she was raised by her mother. She is a member of
Te Rarawa tribe. She attended a
Kura Kaupapa Māori (a
Māori-language immersion primary school) and is fluent in Te Reo Māori. She attended
Auckland Girls' Grammar School and while still studying started working on Māori language television shows such as
Whanau. After high school she started studying for a science degree then changed to a bachelor of Māori development at
Auckland University of Technology. She continued to work on Maori language television, appearing in two seasons of the soap
Korero Mai. Piripi has also appeared in the movie
Mahana, produced by
Lee Tamahori. ==References==