Meriana Johnsen

Guest writer

Meriana Johnsen (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Rangitāne o Wairau) is a writer, journalist and communications professional. She has written, produced and presented news, current affairs and long-form features for RNZ, The Spinoff, and The Hui. She is passionate about sharing iwi/hapū stories of old, and writing the stories of today mō āpōpō.

Molesworth Station will be managed by Ngāi Tahu Farming. (Photo: Department of Conservation)

Fresh footsteps on old trails: Māori are returning to manage Molesworth Station

The country's largest farm will be managed by Ngāi Tahu.

By Meriana Johnsen | 13th August, 2026

All illustrations by Pounamu Wharekawa (Ngāi Te Rangi)

‘I’m Māori first’: The vision-impaired community finding strength in whakapapa

For Māori members of the blind and low-vision community, the pandemic highlighted an urgent need for better, broader services.

By Meriana Johnsen | 5th December, 2022

The tūpuna and kārapuna laid on te atamira (the stage) at the repatriation ceremony at Te Papa earlier this month. (Photo: Te Papa)

Our stolen ancestors are finally returned from Vienna to Aotearoa to rest in peace

Nineteenth century taxidermist Andreas Reischek pretended to befriend Māori and then raided their graves at night.

By Meriana Johnsen | 19th October, 2022

Kaimahi from Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi at a mobile vaccination clinic (Photo: Supplied/The Spinoff)

More than any others, Māori are now lining up to get their first dose of the Covid vaccine

Among the more attention-grabbing daily Covid stats is one small number that attests to the tireless work of Māori health providers – first doses administered.

By Meriana Johnsen | 1st April, 2022

Kaikōura (Image: Supplied, additional design by Tina Tiller)

In search of a place to just be Māori

'Without tikanga and kawa to ground, I’ve often felt untethered, caught up in the rush of the gusts blowing from every direction.'

By Meriana Johnsen | 24th March, 2022

A Kaikoura tītī (Image: DOC)

A different way of seeing: Decolonising science through mātauranga Māori

Two University of Otago scientists on how Māori scientific knowledge has informed and expanded their work.

By Meriana Johnsen | 24th December, 2021

Some of the Omaka aunties. Image: Richard Briggs

From the wharekai to the artisanal food market

A group of entrepreneurial aunties from Ōmaka marae in Blenheim and their delicious preserves are finalists in the New Zealand Artisan Awards.

By Meriana Johnsen | 18th September, 2018

Meriana Johnsen sitting outside Mangamaunu marae in Kaikōura.

My te reo journey: journalist Meriana Johnsen

This is the te reo journey of one very colonised Māori, writes journalist Meriana Johnsen.

By Meriana Johnsen | 13th September, 2018

Hayden Hohaia outside his home at Te Aro Pā. Image: supplied.

Finding a place to stand in a new landscape

With 84% of Māori now living in urban areas, away from ancestral lands, it has become difficult for many of us to maintain a sense of tūrangawaewae.

By Meriana Johnsen | 5th April, 2018

The Guiding Star arrives in Wellington harbour as part of Kupe, the opening of the New Zealand Festival 2018.

Kupe: An indigenous spectacular

This weekend saw thousands converge on Wellington's watefront for Kupe, a tribute to Polynesian explorers Kupe and Kuramarotini’s discovery of Aotearoa and first landing of the waka Matahorua in the harbour. Meriana Johnsen reviews the show.

By Meriana Johnsen | 26th February, 2018