Born and brought up in Whanganui (Aotearoa New Zealand), I am fifth generation Pākehā of Croatian, English and Irish descent. I joined Whakauae in 2008, as a researcher and evaluator, after spending 25 years in service delivery and middle management roles in the public health (health promotion and workforce development), adult education, community work and social work fields. My primary interests are in policy and health services research that contributes to improving health equity outcomes for Māori.