Mere Boynton

Mere Tokorahi Boynton (born 1966) is a New Zealand singer, producer and actor. As an actor she is known for her role as Mavis in the film Once Were Warriors. Boynton was Director Ngā Toi Māori for the Aotearoa Festival.

Early life and education Boynton affiliates to the Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngāti Oneone and Ngāi Tūhoe iwi. She grew up in Te Tairāwhiti, she was born in Puha in 1966, and went to Whatatutu Primary School and Te Karaka Primary School and then on to Waikohu College.

Boynton trained in singing at the Conservatorium of Music, Wellington Polytechnic and Māori Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. In 2001 Mere performed in concerts as a member of the New Zealand Prime Minister's cultural entourage to South America. In Tanemahuta Gray's 2006 stage production Maui One Man Against the Gods Boynton was the lead role, Taranga. In July 2021, Boynton was a soloist for the premiere of Matariki, composed by Gareth Farr and for which Boynton and Ariana Tikao wrote the words. Matariki was performed by the NZSO in Auckland and Wellington, and was conducted by Gemma New. Boynton left Tāwhiri in 2024.