Erena was born and raised in Manutuke. She married Eru Brown and settled in Muriwai. After Eru’s early death, she raised her seventeen children alone with the assistance of her extended whanau. Te Ruaraima Emmerson describes Erena as a "wonderful mother" who was very involved in the Muriwai Marae and local Anglican Church and was a committed member of the Labour Party.
Biographical sources
- Phone conversation with Mrs Te Ruaraima (Ruby) Emmerson 8 July, 1998.
- Brown, Erena and Parekowhai, Cushla. "Erena Ahuahu Brown." The Book of New Zealand Women: Ko Kui Ma Te Kauapapa. Ed. Charlotte MacDonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 98-101.
Other
- "Erena Ahuahu Brown." Erena Brown and Cushla Parekowhai. The Book of New Zealand Women: Ko Kui Ma Te Kauapapa. Ed. Charlotte MacDonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991. 98-101.
- This account draws predominantly from a taped interview in 1974 when Brown was interviewed by Gretchen Mettner. Brown tells of her childhood growing up on a pa in Manutuke and describes the fishing, weaving, planting, moko and cooking customs of her people.