Miria has considerable experience in local government issues, having held various iwi representative roles and been a Hearing Commissioner in the resource consent process. She has worked in the field of Treaty of Waitangi claims for more than a decade.

Miria has a sound knowledge of Māori cultural issues, having been involved in iwi activities all her life. She is also experienced in the role of kaitiaki (guardian) – her whānau (family) inherited responsibility for an extensive collection of taonga, both Māori and European.

Miria has a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Hawaii.