He has written extensively on the arts including the centennial history Elam 1890-1990.
After leaving high-school, Parekowhai worked as a florist's assistant before commencing his BFA at Auckland University's Elam School of Fine Arts (1987–1990).
Bachelor of Arts | high school | Harvard Business School | London School of Economics | Harvard Medical School | Master of Arts (postgraduate) | National Endowment for the Arts | secondary school | Harvard Law School | Master of Arts | Eastman School of Music | American Academy of Arts and Sciences | Electronic Arts | Juilliard School | Public school (government funded) | High School Musical | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston | Gymnasium (school) | Yale Law School | Rugby School | school district | high school football | public school | school | New York University School of Law | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Westminster School | Tisch School of the Arts | mixed martial arts | Charterhouse School |
Located in the Christchurch suburb of Ilam, it is informally called the Ilam School of Fine Arts, although this can lead to confusion with the Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland.