I descend from Te Rina Hunia (a child from the marriage between Ruta Kau of Ngāi Te Ūpokoiri and Kawana Hunia of Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa) and Hoani Metekingi (from the marriage of Te Rangi Paetahi of Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi and Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa and Rōra Awheuru, daughter of Takarangi Atua). I was born in Whanganui and now reside there with my partner and stepdaughter.

I am an experienced company director, trustee, and senior executive with a legal and management background. My professional career has included executive roles in the public sector, financial services sector and roles with iwi/Māori organisations including a stint as Business Manager with Whakauae Research Services Limited, Claims Manager with Mōkai Pātea Waitangi Claims Trust, Head of Legal Services at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, General Counsel at Te Ohu Kaimoana and General Manager at Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō. I have also run my own consultancy providing a number of services to iwi/Māori organisations and currently work as a senior Management Consultant with a Māori firm.

My other current governance roles include chairing both Te Ngakinga o Whanganui Investment Trust and Whanganui Iwi Fisheries Limited (the commercial entities of the Te Awa Tupua settlement) and director of Te Pūia Tāpapa GP Limited (a pan-iwi/Māori investment fund). Previously, I have served as a rūnanga member for Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, a trustee of the Papawhenua Charitable Trust, a member of the independent Charities Registration Board, an independent member of the Federation of Māori Authorities’ Audit and Risk Committee, director of Whanganui District Council Holdings Limited (the Council-controlled organisation for Whanganui District Council) and as an alternate trustee on the Crown Forestry Rental Trust.

I joined the board of Whakauae Research Services Ltd in August 2022 and relish the opportunity to work with some outstanding people in the furtherance of whānau/hapū/iwi aspirations. Outside of work I enjoy fishing, hunting, and relaxing at home. I have played both senior rugby (including representative honours while at university) and senior cricket and enjoy most ball sports.