She was born in Ruatoki and edcated at Ruatoki Primary School, Tawera Primary School and Queen Victoria School. She went on to get her Trained Teachers Certificate at the Auckland Teachers College at Primary level, and also completed Tohu Matauranga Māori and Stage 1 and 2 Māori at Masssey University. She has worked as school teacher and has attended writing workshops at Lopdell House in the mid 1980s with Syd Melbourne, John Taumaunu, Henare Everitt and other teachers. Her main area of writing is children’s writing for use in classrooms to help boost supplies for Māori language supporters.
Biographical sources
- Correspondence from Molly Turnbull in 1992.
Children's literature
- He Pepeha Aroha. Kopeopep, Whakatane, N.Z.: Māori Publications, 1982. 2nd ed. 1983. 3rd ed. 1984. In Māori with English translation.
- Nga Kararehe. Whakatane, N.Z.: Māori Publications, [1987].
- Te Karikari Tuangi. Molly Turnbull nga korero; John Hanlen nga pikitia [illus.]. [Whakatane, N.Z.: Māori Publications, 1989].
- Kei Te Hiahia Hoiho a Kiri. Val Hata nga pikitia [illus.]. Whakatane, [N.Z.]: Māori Publications Unit Regional Services Division, Univ. of Waikato, School of Educ., 1993.
Music
- Waiata Ngangara. Val Hata nga pikitia [illus.]. Whakatane, [N.Z.]: Māori Publications Unit Regional Services Division, Univ. of Waikato, School of Educ., 1993.
Other
- Sycrobite. Marlene J. Bennetts nga korero [text], Molly Turnbull i whakamāori [Māori trans]; Kevin Brown nga pikitia ([illus.]. Whakatane, [N.Z.]: Māori Publications Unit, Regional Services Division, Univ. of Waikato, School of Educ., [1994].
Other
- Shanks, Kalee. "Good Will Growing." Daily Post (Rotorua, N.Z.), 5 Apr. 2008: B1.