Rata (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Porou) grew up in Maraenui, Napier where she forged a curiosity and empathy for people and how socio-economic, cultural, political and other factors shape our lives.

Rata brings 20 years’ experience in communications roles - the last ten as a consultant - across multiple sectors including transport and infrastructure, tertiary education, engineering, health and disability, and the public sector. She is Director of Purpose PR Ltd, a communications and engagement consultancy dedicated to helping organisations advocate for and to enact positive change.

The birth of her son followed by his shock leukaemia diagnosis at the age of two deepened her desire to work toward a higher purpose: to help whānau Māori navigate the challenges of cancer diagnoses and treatment. Rata feels privileged to support the extraordinary people at Hei Āhuru Mōwai toward this purpose.

Rata holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Politics, an internationally-recognised Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) for senior practitioners, and is a Member of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (MPRINZ).