Dovey was born in Rotorua and has resided in Te Whanganui-A-Tara [Wellington] since 1945. She is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Since 1986 she has been a teacher of Māori language in the secondary division of the Correspondence School. Along with the Tohu Māoritanga she has attained a Post graduate Diploma in Education from Victoria University. Dovey has written cooperative non-fiction work in various Catholic magazines. Alongside her work with the Correspondence School, she also works with Ngāti Poneke Young Club and Te Kainga, the Catholic Māori base in Wellington.
Biographical sources
- Phone conversation and email correspondence with Dovey Taiaroa: 9 and 15 July 1998, and 6 Sept. 2004.
Non-fiction
- "Exposure Tour to the Philippines." The Whitiora, c. 1980s. No details.
- "Dovey Katene." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991: 340-342.
- Co-authored with Cushla Parekowhai.