Reina Kahukiwa is of Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa, Patuheuheu, Ngāti Haka, Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngai Tāmanuhiri, and Te Aitanga a Mahaki descent. She is the author of adults literary genre books including Manahau, and Korowai. In the young+ adult literary genre, Reina is the author of Taranga published by Little Island press in 2023. Reina is also the author of children's and whānau books including The Standing Strong House and the award-winning Te Haka a Tānerore (winner of the New Zealand Book Awards 2019). Reina has three university degrees and works as a writer, Māori advisor, manager and program designer in Māori Pathways.