Faumuina is a daughter of the Pacific. Born in 1971 and raised in Otautahi Christchurch, New Zealand, her bloodlines stretch back to Mulifanua, Fasito'o-Tai, Asaga, and Salelologo in Samoa. Her parents are Nivaga and Mau'u Lopeti Ifopo. Her surname comes from the late Patrick Tafuna'i, and she is mother to Oliver. Faumuina wrote her first poem when she was 13 but was too cool to write another until 17 years later after she heard Pacific poet Konai Thaman, Tusiata Avia, and Selina Marsh. It was then she realized poetry could speak in different rhythms and accents. Faumuina is a member of Fika, a group of Pasifika writers within Otautahi. She has a background in media and communications. She is also a sailor with Te Toki Voyaging Trust and an Edmund Hillary Fellow for her work in creating wayfinding strategies under the guidance of voyaging leader Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr.