I am a descendant of Rora Te Oiroa (Ngāi Te Ohuake, Ngāti Hauiti, Ngāti Hinemanu) and Utiku Potaka’s (Ngāti Hauiti) youngest son Tumihau (Jack) Potaka. Tumihau married Raihania Waitere (Ngāti Apa, Tūwharetoa, Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi) and had my koro Tumihau Potaka II. Koro Tumihau married my nan Hilda Chadwick (Ngāti Tama, Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi) and they had my father, Eldon Potaka. I grew up in Ōtaki attending kōhanga reo and kura tuatahi before moving to Rotorua to attend boarding school at Raukura (Rotorua Boys’ High).

I joined the board of Whakauae Research Services Ltd in mid 2022 as an Associate Director and rangatahi representative. I am currently a Strategy and Implementation Analyst at Fonterra. I have held a range of roles across the organisation working largely on responsible sourcing commitments, sustainability strategy, Māori strategy and sustainability solutions. In 2021, I completed a conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science degree from Waipapa Taumata Rau (University of Auckland), majoring in management, marketing, marine science and geography.

I am presently residing in Tāmaki Makaurau. Outside of mahi I enjoy spending time with mates and whānau, exploring my whakapapa, attempting CrossFit, and being in or on the water.