Emma Mellow grew up in One Tree Hill in Auckland and attended St Cuthbert's College. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Auckland and has worked as a lifeguard at Bondi Beach, a communications adviser at Sydney Airport, and a senior communication manager in the wealth management team at the ANZ bank here in Auckland.

Mellow was selected as the National Party candidate for Auckland Central last August following the retirement of Nikki Kaye. Mellow had been inspired to join the National Party by Kaye herself. Mellow is standing for the Auckland Central seat in the 2020 general election.