Born and bred in Mangere, Brend learned Te Reo Māori at school. 

Following her final year, she began a career in tourism, which started at  NZ Heritage Park, as a cultural entertainer, tour guide and Maori educator, sharing the stories and performing arts of our people. 

Brenda had discovered her calling and subsequently began work as a self-employed contractor. 

In May of 2019, after a 20 year legacy at Auckland Museum, Brenda left to form her own company, Honotahi- Engage You. The vision was to provide a platform for young people to share their incredible cultural knowledge and their profound love and deep desire to share that knowledge, without being undervalued and overlooked as was often the case.