Hiria is affiliated to Ngati Awa, Ngapuhi, Kati Mamoe and Kaitahu.

She is a self-taught artist creating images over the past 4 years. She is a Taua (grandmother) of 9, mother of two sons, Aaron and Tracey, Daniel and Rebecca.

Burnout led her on a creative journey of self discovery, that started with designer glass jewellery, mosaic work then to brushes and paint.  Her recent paintings depict stories about whanau life, her place as a Maori woman with Scottish and Malaysian whakapapa and her mokopuna.

Hiria uses many techniques, spray painting, layering, rag and brush application, sand, rubbing and washing off, stencils, dribbling paint and texturing materials.  Her current media of choice is acrylic paint on canvas, board, stone or anything that can be recycled.  She sees herself as an abstract painter.

She is a member of the artists' collective, Arty Farty Tarts and the Whakatane Society of Art & Craft.
Creative Work displays:
2004 Mataatua Gallery – designer jeweller and mosaic garden art
2005 Ohine Gallery - designer jeweller and mosaic garden art
2005 Opotiki Children’s Art House - Children Holiday Program
2005 Prickly Puha Café – Mosaic and Paintings
2006 Whakatane Art Society – Paintings
2006 Art in the Hospital Park – Paintings, and Jewellery
2007 Rustic Art
2007 Kawerau Wood Skills – Tatai Hono
2007 Art in the Hospital Park – Paintings

2008 White House Cafe, Whakatane - Paintings

2008 Arty Farty Tarts Exhibition - Whakatane BNZ

2008 LIVE:Art Festival, Puawairua Marae - working artist

2008 Whakatane Society of Art & Craft - Paintings

2008 Kawerau Wood Skills - working artist

2008 Otarere Maori Craft Centre, Levin.