I have tribal affiliations with Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Mahaki, Ngāti Horowai, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Rongowhakaata, Ngā Tāmanuhiri, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ruapani, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Ngāti Rakaipaaka.

I have spent many years in senior management in the public and private sector and have a thorough understanding of government and legislative requirements.

I am a Justice of the Peace (2006) and was honoured as an Officer of the Order of NZ Merit (ONZM) in 2018 for services to Māori, Education and the State. As the Deputy Secretary Māori Education in the Ministry of Education, I was responsible for the implementation of the 10 Point Plan for Māori Education, which included, Te Kōhanga Reo, and the establishment of Kura Kaupapa Māori, Wharekura and Whare Wananga.

I am a fluent speaker of te reo Māori and have a thorough understanding of tikanga Māori.