Whaitiri Mikaere was born in Coromandel and educated at Manaia Native Primary School and Coromandel High School. She continued her studies at the University of Auckland, graduating with a BSc majoring Psychology, a Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology, and MSc in Forensic Psychology. From 1984-87 she worked as a liaison officer for the Waikato Student Job Search and from 1987 – 1991 was Research Officer for the Auckland University Students’ Association. Whaitiri worked as a researcher for the Adult Reading and Learning Association from 1991-1992 and subsequently worked as Union Organiser for New Zealand Public Service Association (NZPSA) from She returned to her studies from 1995-2000 and was awarded a Faculty of Science 2001 studentship. From 2001-2002 she took up an appointment with Lakeland Health and since 2002 has been working for the Auckland District Health Board. Whaitiri has been a member of He Taua/ATAC Coalition.
Biographical sources
- Correspondence from Whaitiri Mikaere on 5 Aug. 2004.
- Mikaere, Michelle. "1990 Whitewash Celebrations." Broadsheet 167 (Apr. 1989): 13.
Non-fiction
- "1990 Whitewash Celebrations." Broadsheet 167 (Apr. 1989): 13.
- Mikaere writes a strongly-worded critique of the 1990 sesquicentennial commemorations of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and closes with a poem by Aboriginal poet April Newman "Ode to the Bicentenary".