Olivia Aroha Giles is a Contemporary Māori artist and writer of Kahungunu, Raukawa, Te Ati Awa and Te Whanau a Apanui, Scottish and Irish descent from Wellington.
She is a painter, sculptor and textile artist; graduating from Whitireia NZ with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Design, majoring in Textile Arts and an Advanced Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing.
Olivia writes novels about educated, feisty, successful Maori Women working their way through the drama of life; sometimes feeling as if they've been given the wrong instruction manual.
Her stories are packed with rich characters, drama, humour, love, suspense and high-octane action. She coined the term ‘HineAtua (Goddess) Lit’. She also writes and illustrates children's books.
Olivia has an addiction to romances and murder mysteries, which she calls “paperback crack”. Also non-fiction especially history and biography. She is currently the Art Director of Dusky Productions and writes every spare moment she can.
She is married to Scott and they share seven children and seven grandchildren.