Diane is a healthcare professional passionate about advancing Māori health and social outcomes. She affiliates with Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngaati Maniapoto, and Waikato-Tainui, and has deep ties to Ngāti Kahungunu, having been born and raised in Hastings, Hawke's Bay. Diane is a mother, a keen scuba diver and currently a Doctor of Health candidate at Victoria University of Wellington with research interests in wellbeing, kina and understanding the salutogenic effects of scuba diving for indigenous peoples. 

Since beginning her health career and tertiary journey over 20 years ago, Diane has demonstrated a strong commitment to Māori mental health and wellbeing. Her most recent vocational role was with Te Aka Whai Ora – the Māori Health Authority, assisting in leading and growing the Oranga Hinengaro (mental health and addiction) division and building the Localities team. Her substantive role was as the inaugural National Manager Kaupapa Māori Practice with the Department of Corrections, Aotearoa, where she established and built a team dedicated to integrating Te Ao Māori perspectives and solutions into health and wellbeing intelligence, practice and stakeholder engagement.

Diane holds several governance roles further demonstrating her dedication to her communities and advancing the development of Māori health and social leadership through education, research and workforce development.